Fracture Management: Types, Treatment & Healing Time

By Dashvanth Healthcare Medical Team · Reviewed by our specialists · East Delhi

Types of Fractures

• Closed (simple): Bone broken but skin intact
• Open (compound): Bone protrudes through skin — medical emergency (infection risk)
• Stress fracture: Tiny crack from repetitive force
• Comminuted: Bone shattered into multiple fragments
• Greenstick: Incomplete fracture in children (bone bends)
• Pathological: Through a bone weakened by tumour or osteoporosis

First Aid for Suspected Fractures

• Do NOT try to straighten the bone
• Immobilise in the position found — improvised splint if needed
• Cover open wounds with clean cloth (do not push bone back)
• Apply ice wrapped in cloth to reduce swelling
• Seek emergency care immediately

Treatment Options

Conservative

Plaster cast or splinting for undisplaced, stable fractures — most common fractures in children and some adult wrist/ankle fractures.

Surgical: ORIF

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) uses plates, screws, nails, or wires to hold fragments in anatomical alignment. Required for displaced, unstable, or articular fractures.

Healing Times (Adults)

• Wrist (distal radius): 6–8 weeks
• Ankle: 6–8 weeks
• Tibia shaft: 12–16 weeks
• Femur: 4–6 months
• Spine (compression): 8–12 weeks