Is Heat Good for a Broken Bone?
Often as a physical therapist, I am asked, is heat good for a broken bone? The application of heat depends on the stage of healing of the bone, and the status of the surrounding soft tissue.
Image of Is Heat Good for a Broken Bone
What are the Stages of Healing for a Broken Bone?
- Acute inflammation and increased swelling and effusion in the site of injury mark the initial stage of healing. This occurs at the onset of injury and generally lasts for about 1-3 weeks. Blood is shunted towards the site, carrying inflammatory chemicals, which initiates healing in the area of the broken bone. It is in this stage that it is highly advised against applying heat to the affected area, as excessive swelling can cause increased pain and other complications.
- The next stage of healing is identified by a soft callus formation between the fractured sites of bone. In this stage, swelling is decreased, and new healing bone begins to harden. This occurs in 4-8 weeks. Soft callus formation is not evident in X-rays.
- As the callus bone transforms and hardens, this marks the third stage. Hard callus formation typically occurs 8-12 weeks post-injury, and often evident in X-rays.
- The final stage involves the remodeling of bone. Depending on the site of the fracture this could take several years. The type of stresses and loads determine the shape and strength of the bone.
If you want to learn more about fractures, go to The Effect of Heat on the Healing of Fractures. This study showed an increase in callus formation of the bone when using heat to help the fracture heal.
Image of a fracture
What is the Effect of Ice or Heat for Fracture?
Ice and heat have contrasting effects on the inflammation of the site of injury. So, is heat or ice good for a broken bone? Applying ice to the site results in the constriction of blood vessels, reducing circulation and swelling. It may also be effective in reducing pain.
Applying heat would increase circulation to the injury site, and bring about the inflammatory properties that aim to heal the tissues. Moreover, heat can reduce muscle stiffness, and encourage movement. Is heat good for the healing of a broken bone? The answer is yes in the later stages of healing.
When Should Heat or Ice be Applied to the Area of a Broken Bone?
- In the acute inflammation stage, it is advised to utilize cold therapy to control swelling.
- In the soft callus formation stage, if swelling is severe, it is advisable to use ice if needed.
- In the hard callus and remodeling stage, heat may be applied to the area.
So, is heat good for a broken bone? The answer is to use heat in the remodeling stage of bone healing.
Ice or Heat for Shoulder Pain
Ice or Heat for Shoulder injury pain
The concept of using Ice or heat for a broken bone is similar to using either with shoulder pain. With a fresh injury, ice is typically helpful to manage inflammation, swelling, and pain. Later in the recovery process, heat may be helpful to increase mobility and motion.
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Fracture or Broken Bone Care in Jacksonville, FL
The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute is Northeast Florida’s largest and most respected Orthopedic Practice. We have offices throughout the area and 12 Rehabilitation Clinics for your convenience. For physical therapy, please call 904-858-7045.
If you think you have a broken bone or any other injury, JOI offers ASAP Fracture and Injury Care to get you treated quickly.
You can also complete all of your new patient paperwork from home. To request registration paperwork electronically, click HERE.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a JOI Orthopedic/Fracture Specialist, Call 904-JOI-2000, schedule online, or click the link below.
By: Genesis Villanueva, Physical Therapist JOI Rehab
Click HERE to watch our online scheduling video.
Diagnosis
Doctors can sometimes diagnose a stress fracture from a medical history and a physical exam, but imaging tests are often needed.
- X-rays. Stress fractures often can’t be seen on regular X-rays taken shortly after your pain begins. It can take several weeks — and sometimes longer than a month — for evidence of stress fractures to show on X-rays.
- Bone scan. A few hours before a bone scan, you’ll receive a small dose of radioactive material through an intravenous line. The radioactive substance is heavily absorbed by areas where bones are being repaired — showing up on the scan image as a bright white spot. However, many types of bone problems look alike on bone scans, so the test isn’t specific for stress fractures.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images of your bones and soft tissues. An MRI is considered the best way to diagnose stress fractures. It can visualize lower grade stress injuries (stress reactions) before an X-ray shows changes. This type of test is also better able to distinguish between stress fractures and soft tissue injuries.
Treatment
To reduce the bone’s weight-bearing load until healing occurs, you might need to wear a walking boot or brace or use crutches.
Although unusual, surgery is sometimes necessary to ensure complete healing of some types of stress fractures, especially those that occur in areas with a poor blood supply. Surgery also might be an option to help healing in elite athletes who want to return to their sport more quickly or laborers whose work involves the stress fracture site.
Lifestyle and home remedies
It’s important to give the bone time to heal. This may take several months or even longer. In the meantime:
- Rest. Stay off the affected limb as directed by your doctor until you are cleared to bear normal weight.
- Ice. To reduce swelling and relieve pain, your doctor might recommend applying ice packs to the injured area as needed — 15 minutes every three hours.
- Resume activity slowly. When your doctor gives the OK, slowly progress from non-weight-bearing activities — such as swimming — to your usual activities. Resume running or other high-impact activities gradually, increasing time and distance slowly.
Preparing for your appointment
You’re likely to start by seeing your primary care provider. If you are a competitive athlete, you might go directly to a doctor who specializes in musculoskeletal problems.
What you can do
Before the appointment, make a list of:
- Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment
- Key personal information, including your level and type of physical activity and whether you’ve increased training recently
- All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
- Questions to ask your doctor
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you’re given.
For stress fractures, basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is the likely cause of my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- Do I need to stop my activity? For how long?
- Should I see a specialist?
Don’t hesitate to ask other questions.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Have you recently increased your physical activity?
- Have you broken bones in the past?
- Do you have regular menstrual periods?
- Do you take vitamin D and calcium supplements?
What Is a Stress Fracture?
Stress fractures are some of the most common sports injuries. They are tiny breaks in the bone, usually caused by repetitive stress from activities like running. Although they can be quite painful, they usually heal themselves if you rest for a few months.
What Are the Symptoms of a Stress Fracture?
Stress fractures usually cause dull pain around the site of the fracture. This pain usually gets worse while exercising, walking, or standing. Another symptom is swelling in the area.
What Causes Stress Fractures?
Many sports raise the risk of stress fractures. Activities that require running and jumping may cause fractures in the legs or feet. More than half of all adult and adolescent stress fractures occur in the lower leg bones. Of these, fractures of the tibia — the long bone of our lower leg — are the most common at about 24% of all stress fractures.
Other sports that require repetitive movements — like pitching or rowing — can result in stress fractures of the humerus (arm bone), but these are much rarer.
What Puts You at Risk for Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures are much more likely to develop in people who have just started a new exercise or abruptly stepped up the intensity of their workout. When the muscles aren’t conditioned, they tire easily and can’t support and cushion the bones as well. More pressure goes directly on the bones, which can lead to a fracture.
Stress fractures seem to be more common in women. Other risk factors for stress fractures include:
- Drinking more than 10 alcoholic drinks a week
- Smoking
- Running more than 25 miles a week
- Osteoporosis
- Eating disorders
- Low levels of vitamin D
Any anatomical abnormalities — like fallen arches — can distribute stress unequally through the feet and legs. This raises the risk of stress fractures. So can poor-quality equipment, like worn-out running shoes.
How Are Stress Fractures Diagnosed?
To diagnose a stress fracture, your doctor will give you a physical exam. Although they can be helpful, X-rays often can’t spot stress fractures. Your doctor may use MRIs, nuclear bone scans, or other imaging methods to diagnose you.
