Most broken bones are caused by accidents such as a fall, sports injury, car or any other accident. Osteoarthritis is another cause of bone fracture in older age people. Children often get fractures due to their carelessness during playing.
Whatever is the cause of your broken bones, it is important to immobilize the fracture immediately under proper medical care. Healing time depends on complexities of the fracture.
Younger people heal faster than the old age seniors, but irrespective of your age, many natural remedies help to heal broken bones fast.
Table of Contents
- Stages of Broken Bones Healing
- Foods That Heal Broken Bones Fast
- Essential Oils for Broken Bones
- Other Tips and Precautions
Stages of Broken Bones Healing
It is important to understand the repair process of broken bone in details to expedite healing. Blood clotting occurs in the close vicinity to aid healing process. It may last from hours to day depending on the complexity of the fracture.
- Inflammation Stage - Inflammation occurs immediately after the bone is fractured. Bleeding occurs
- Bone Reproduction Stage - This is the next stage in which the clotted blood is replaced by fibrous tissues called soft callus providing initial structural stability for bone repair. a hard callus is formed as bone reproduction process begins here which may take several weeks.
- Bone Remodeling Stage - Bone continues to form to finally take the original shape. It may take several months.
Foods That Heal Broken Bones Fast
Demand for nutrients during each stage of healing of fractured bones increase significantly. Therefore, the food you eat becomes very important part of the overall healing process. It is not just about what to eat but it is also about what to avoid for faster healing. You should focus on the three important aspects of food as under:
- Lot of energy is required for healing which is usually taken care by consuming higher calories than your normal diet.
- The need for synthesis of new proteins can be met by ample supply of amino acids in the protein intakes.
- Improved blood supply requirements can be met by avoiding foods that restricts blood supply
If you take care of the nutrients and conduct specific exercises to improve the blood circulation around the fracture area then you will heal fast.
If your calorie requirements as a normal healthy active human being is 2500 calories then you will require 5000-6000 calories to heal your fractured bones. Otherwise, your healing will be compromised both in terms of quality and time.
Your Bone is 50% protein, therefore when it breaks or fractured, it requires ample quantity of new protein to synthesize the new bone structure in the affected area. If your protein intake is low during the bone healing process, then your healing will be slow and it will take much longer than it usually should. Malnutrition during the healing process is a curse for your bone health.
In addition to more calories and higher protein intake, you have to ensure that your mineral intake, particularly of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and zinc etc is increased. These minerals are extremely important ingredients to increase bone strength.
Healing Foods for Broken Bones
- Green leafy vegetables, sea vegetables, fishes like salmon and sardine and daily products such as yogurt are great source of calcium and vitamin K that provides strength to the bones.
- Beef, pumpkin seeds and spinach increase zinc content in your food, therefore take generous servings of these foods.
- Citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries and tomatoes are a great source of Vitamin C which is helpful in manufacturing collagen for skin and tissue repair and growth.
Calcium Sucking Foods that Harm Bones
Different food items affect the bone in different ways. Some food items such as alcohol promotes bone loss and increases inflammation slowing down the healing process. Other foods such as salt, sugar, refined grains and sweetened drinks like colas and sodas, promote bone loss, so contain their intake. If you are a coffee drinker then avoid coffee and all other caffeine from your daily diet as caffeine interferes with calcium absorption.
In addition to taking care of foods, you should also get involved in regular exercise. Depending on the type of fracture, your orthopedic doctor and physiotherapists will give you a set of exercises that you must religiously do. These specific exercises will increase blood circulation in the affected area and and promote fast healing of your fractured bones.
Essential Oils for Broken Bones
Essential oils like cypress oil and helichrysum oil are useful in healing the broken bones fast. Apply You can apply these oils diluted in a carrier oil like almond oil on the affected area regularly as under.
- add 10 drops of helichrysum oil or cypress oil to one teaspoon of almond oil or
- add 10 combined drops both oils in any proportions to one teaspoon of almond oil
- mix well
- apply on the skin of affected bone area
- increase oil quantity if affected area is big
- do it 2-3 times daily
Other Tips and Precautions
In order to get the original shape of the bone back fast you not only need to do the right treatment but also ensure that nothing goes wrong. Take following precautions for faster bone healing.
- Avoid weight bearing activities too soon
- Quit smoking and avoid passive smoke as it prevents proper blood circulation which is vital for proper bone healing
- Consult your doctor for if any of the other medication you are taking can retard healing
- Take care to avoid infections particularly of the very complex fractures which tend to get infected.
- Eat calcium rich diet with supplements that help better calcium absorption
- Get good sun exposure for required vitamin D
It takes longer for broken bone healing in old age, so have patience.