How long will it take for a comminuted ankle fracture to heal?

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Hello! You're asking how long it takes for a comminuted ankle fracture to heal. Generally, the healing time for a comminuted fracture in the ankle is about three months. Depending on your specific condition, you may need to have an X-ray to confirm if your ankle fracture has achieved bony union. If bony union has been achieved, you can then appropriately begin weight-bearing activities to promote blood circulation in the lower limbs and restore joint mobility. However, if the X-ray shows that bony union has not been achieved, it is absolutely crucial not to bear weight. Premature weight-bearing can cause the fracture ends to break again and shift, potentially necessitating a second surgery. So, generally speaking, the healing time for non-comminuted ankle fractures is also about three months, but it is essential to check the final X-ray to see if the fracture has healed.

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Can a pelvic comminuted fracture cause paralysis?

A pelvic fracture generally includes avulsion fractures, in which the pelvis remains stable, while other types of fractures tend to be comminuted fractures. Whether paralysis occurs following such a fracture depends on whether there is nerve damage. If there is no significant nerve damage, paralysis is generally unlikely; however, if the fracture is accompanied by nerve damage, such as damage to the sacral nerves causing numbness and limited mobility, it may significantly impact function, especially of the lower limbs. Therefore, it is advised to seek treatment in the orthopedic department of a reputable hospital if a pelvic fracture occurs.

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How to treat a lumbar compression fracture

A comminuted fracture has occurred in the lumbar vertebrae, and the treatment method should be chosen based on the degree of displacement of the fracture, that is, the occupancy within the spinal canal and the extent of compression of the lumbar fracture. Generally speaking, if there is significant compression inside the spinal canal, and the height of the vertebral body of the lumbar spine is also greatly compromised, surgical intervention is necessary to restore the height of the vertebral body. If necessary, decompression inside the spinal canal should be performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, alleviate symptoms, and facilitate early functional recovery of the patient.

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How long does it take to walk normally after a comminuted patellar fracture?

If the surgery is performed without any issues, you can start normal knee flexion and extension exercises about three days after the surgery. Then, about a week later, you can begin walking with the aid of crutches. At six weeks post-surgery, you should return to the hospital for a follow-up. If there is continuous callus formation along the fracture line, you can walk normally. However, you need to be cautious at this time, as the fracture healing is not very solid, and it is best to avoid vigorous activities. Activities like running and jumping should be postponed until about three months later. Therefore, for patellar comminuted fractures, you can generally walk normally between six to twelve weeks after the surgery.

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Is a pelvic comminuted fracture serious?

For comminuted pelvic fractures, the condition is very serious, demonstrating that the external force involved was quite significant. It causes a disruption in the continuity and integrity of the bone. The patient will exhibit localized pain and swelling, and restricted movement in the affected area. Pressing on the area will produce a distinct bone crepitus or feel, and there might be extensive subcutaneous bruising. For comminuted pelvic fractures, the primary treatment is usually surgical. It is essential to conduct thorough preoperative examinations to exclude any surgical contraindications, and then proceed with the open reduction and internal fixation surgery under general anesthesia.

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Post-traumatic sequelae of femoral head comminuted fracture

A comminuted fracture generally refers to a fracture with more than three fragments. When a comminuted fracture occurs in the femoral head, it is also a type of intra-articular comminuted fracture. Generally speaking, after the fracture is reduced and stabilized, there can be some damage to the joint surface as well, leading to unevenness of the joint surface and a higher chance of developing postoperative traumatic arthritis. There is also a possibility that the comminution of the femoral head fracture could affect the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. After treatment for the fracture injury, there will inevitably be some impact on postoperative function. Therefore, after a comminuted fracture of the femoral head, the first sequelae to appear is usually traumatic arthritis, followed by ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, and thirdly, symptoms of restricted movement in the hip joint may occur.