Hunjan Hospital Ludhiana
Bone and Fracture Care
How broken bones, fractures linked to osteoporosis and bone infections are assessed and treated, what recovery usually involves, and the risks to be aware…
How bone and fracture problems are cared for
The orthopaedic department at Hunjan Hospital assesses and treats problems that affect the bones. The most common is a broken bone (fracture), but the department also sees fractures linked to weak bones (osteoporosis), suspected bone infection and fractures that are slow to heal.
This page explains how these problems are usually assessed and treated, what recovery tends to involve and the risks you should know about. Your own treatment will depend on the injury, your age, your general health and your preferences, and your doctor will discuss the options with you.
- Broken bones after a fall, sports injury or road accident
- Fractures after a minor fall, which can be a sign of osteoporosis
- Suspected bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Fractures that are slow to heal or have healed out of position
- Follow-up and exercises after a fracture
If a limb is numb or tingling, looks bent or out of shape, or a bone is showing through the skin, seek emergency care straight away. Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you or call an ambulance.[2]
How a broken bone is assessed
Your doctor will ask how the injury happened, examine the area and check the feeling and circulation beyond the injury. An X-ray is the most common way to confirm a fracture and show where it is.[1] Other scans, such as CT, are sometimes used when more detail is needed.
The severity of a fracture usually depends on the force that caused it.[1] Doctors describe a fracture by whether the bone has stayed in line, whether the skin over it is broken (an open fracture) and the shape of the break. These details help decide which treatment is suitable.
Treatment options for fractures
The aim of treatment is to hold the bone in a good position while it heals and to help you move safely again. The right option depends on the fracture pattern, the bone involved and your general health.
- Cast or splint: a plaster or fibreglass cast is the most common fracture treatment.[1]
- Functional brace: allows limited, controlled movement of nearby joints and suits some fractures but not all.[1]
- Closed reduction: the bone is moved back into line without an operation and then held in a cast or splint.
- Internal fixation: an operation in which the bone fragments are lined up and held with plates, screws, rods (nails) or wires.[1,6]
- External fixation: pins or screws are placed in the bone above and below the fracture and joined to a frame outside the skin.[1]
Plates, screws and rods are often left in place after the bone has healed; some are removed in selected cases.[6] Your surgeon will explain what is planned for you.
Osteoporosis and fractures after a minor fall
Osteoporosis weakens bones so that they break more easily, sometimes after only a minor fall.[1,3] It is not usually painful until a bone breaks. The most common fractures in people with osteoporosis are of the wrist, the hip and the bones of the spine (vertebrae).[3]
If you have had a fracture after a minor fall, your doctor may assess your risk of future fractures. This can include a fracture-risk calculation and a bone density (DEXA) scan.[3] Depending on your risk, treatment may include bone-strengthening medicines, together with regular exercise, a diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol and reducing fall hazards at home.[3]
Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. It usually causes severe pain, most often in the legs, with swelling, warmth over the area and a high temperature.[4] It is more likely after a fracture, a wound from an injury or recent surgery, and in people with diabetes or a weakened immune system.[4]
Treatment usually involves antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks, or up to 12 weeks for a severe infection. An operation may be needed to drain pus or to remove damaged bone (debridement).[4] Infection treated within 3 to 5 days of starting often clears up completely,[4] so pain, redness and warmth over a bone with a fever should be checked urgently.
When to see an orthopaedic doctor about a bone problem
Consider an orthopaedic assessment if you have any of the following:
- Pain, swelling or difficulty using a limb after a fall or injury
- A fracture after a minor fall, which can be a sign of weak bones (osteoporosis)[1,3]
- Pain at an old fracture site that continues long after the injury, which can be a sign that the bone has not healed[5]
- Pain, redness and warmth over a bone with a high temperature; this needs urgent attention[4]
- A cast that feels too tight, numbness or tingling, or fingers or toes you cannot move[7]
Recovery after a fracture
Healing time depends on the bone involved, the type of break, your age and your general health. These ranges are a general guide; your doctor will give you a plan for your injury.
- First days
Protection and pain relief
The fracture is supported in a splint, cast or brace, or fixed with an operation. Keep the limb raised when advised, and keep a plaster cast dry.[2,7]
- 3 to 12 weeks
Bone healing
Some fractures, such as finger fractures, heal in 3 to 4 weeks, while many others take 6 to 8 weeks.[1] Recovery from a broken arm or wrist usually takes around 6 to 12 weeks.[2]
- 3 to 6 months
Larger bones and complex fractures
Some fractures take several months, 3 to 6 months on average, or longer to heal. You may need to limit some activities until the bone is strong enough for normal use.[1]
- During and after healing
Regaining movement and strength
Muscles weaken and joints stiffen while a bone heals; specific exercises help restore strength, movement and flexibility.[1] Do not drive or lift heavy items until you have been told it is safe.[2]
Risks and possible problems
Every treatment for a fracture, with or without an operation, has possible problems. Your doctor will explain the risks that apply to you.
- Slow healing or non-healing (non-union). Smoking or nicotine use, diabetes, infection, some anti-inflammatory medicines and a poor blood supply to the bone increase this risk.[5]
- Healing in a poor position (malunion), which may need further treatment.[6]
- Infection after an operation. Sterile techniques reduce, but do not remove, this risk.[6]
- Plates, screws or rods can occasionally break or bend, and rarely cause an allergic reaction. Tell your surgeon if you have a nickel allergy.[6]
- Problems from a cast, such as increasing pain, numbness, tingling, burning or excessive swelling below the cast. Contact your doctor promptly if these happen.[7]
- Loss of muscle strength and joint movement during recovery, which exercises are used to restore.[1]
Seek medical advice urgently if pain gets worse, you develop a high temperature, or there is a bad smell or discharge from under a cast.[2]
Questions about bone and fracture care
Patient pathway
Bone and Fracture Care treatment journey in Ludhiana
Patients receive a step-by-step clinical assessment focused on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment choices, recovery expectations, and follow-up care.
Consultation
The doctor reviews symptoms, history, current medicines, and previous reports.
Diagnosis
Imaging, lab tests, or specialist assessments may be advised when required.
Treatment plan
Options may include medication, therapy, minimally invasive care, surgery, or rehabilitation.
Recovery support
The team explains risks, recovery timelines, warning signs, and follow-up steps.
References
Sources are provided for general information; a qualified clinician can advise on your situation.
This page was prepared with AI assistance and is awaiting review by a hospital clinician.
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