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How Long Will It Take to Heal a Broken Bone?
Today my 5-year-old son fell at the playground and broke his arm. How long will the bone take to heal?
– Debra
Broken bones heal at different rates, depending on the age of the child and the type of fracture. Young children can heal as quickly as 3 weeks, while it may take as long as 6 weeks for the same kind of fracture to heal in teens.
Most likely, your son's arm was put in a cast. Some casts are waterproof and some are not, so be sure to check with your doctor about the best way to care for the cast. You should also check with the doctor to see what activities your son can participate in, and when he can get back to his normal lifestyle. With a little TLC, he'll be back in the swing of things in no time.
For more information, check out these articles:
Broken Bones
Frequently Asked Questions About Casts
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: June 2007
Originally reviewed by: Email us.
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