Life After a Fracture

Having a fracture disrupts your life, often making it difficult for you to get around or perform normal activities in your daily life. Doing the most basic tasks is often a bigger ordeal than it seems like it should be, and recovering from a fracture usually requires some help. 

With some patience and with the assistance of a physical therapist, you can get back to living a normal life again. Our providers at OrthoCincy Wellington Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine explain more about how to recover from a fracture.

Practical tips for recovering from a fracture

As you probably know, a fracture is a broken bone. You may have broken your ankle, leg, or arm. Some people experience hip fractures, which can become very serious in older people. 

If you’ve experienced a leg, ankle, or hip fracture, you may need to rearrange your home to make your recovery easier. 

Some of the things you may want to try include:

• Having a clear path throughout your home, which may require moving throw rugs or furniture
• Making sure that your path allows for room for a walker, crutches, or wheelchair
• Add lighting so you can see well enough to avoid tripping on anything
• Installing handrails along your stairs or in your shower or tub
• Keeping a phone nearby or in your pocket

Since your lower body fracture prevents you from doing heavy lifting or pushing, you may need some help with getting your home in shape. 

No matter which bone you’ve fractured, you’ll need to make at least small changes in your home to accommodate your new way of doing things. If you have family or friends nearby, you can make arrangements for them to help. However, you can also hire someone to clean or reorganize for you, which is often more affordable than you might expect.

Be patient

You may feel frustrated with the pace of your recovery after a fracture, but this is normal. Be patient with yourself and expect that it will take longer to do normal activities, like getting dressed. 

Depending on which bone was fractured, you may need to find new ways to move and do things. Your physical therapist can often help with adapting the way you perform certain activities while you recover.

Ask for help

Some people find it difficult to accept help from others. But when people offer to help, they usually really do mean that they’re willing to do so. Instead of brushing off offers of help, suggest small things that people can do to help.

Maybe you need help with meals; allow someone to bring you a meal. Or perhaps you need someone to clean or do a load of laundry for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for whatever assistance you need.

Work with a physical therapist

For many people with a fracture, working with a physical therapist is one of the biggest steps you can take toward your recovery. A physical therapist can help you to strengthen your muscles, particularly the muscles around the affected broken bone.

Physical therapy may initially cause some discomfort, but it’s pain with a purpose. As you go through physical therapy, you’ll find that your pain becomes less and less. For most people, a course of physical therapy enables them to function well without pain medication.

If you’ve fractured a bone, the recovery process ahead may feel daunting. But with the help of our providers, you’ll soon be back to your active lifestyle. Contact one of our offices in Cincinnati and West Chester, Ohio, or Highland Heights, Kentucky, or request an appointment online.