Healing: bone healing rate

Hi,
I just went to the bone doc yesterday and had follow up Xrays taken. I didn't like the way it looked. It's been 4.5 months since the break and I have been walking since Xmas without crutches. Seems to me that it shouldn't look so much like a break anymore, but I couldn't tell that it had really filled in that much. There's still a visible gap where ther break is/was.
I have to go back tomorrow and take my initial X-Rays so that the doc can compare them, so I don't know what the real prognosis is yet, but I thought I would ask what a normal, healthy, healing bone SHOULD look like after 4.5 months. It seems to me like it should look more solid at this point. You did address this in one question, but I am focusd on the visuals from the X-Ray. When does it look solid again?
I am just worried. I have been through so much with this leg thing and was seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, after seeing the Xrays, I am having doubts. As said, the doc has not said anything about it yet, but I am just wondering: how much should a bone have healed, under normal conditions, in 4.5 months? I would have thought it would have looked more normal by now. Now I have horror visions of it taking much longer...

Monica

I have experienced almost the same thing, however I have only now started weight bearing after 4 months. This is only because the doc said the bones have not connected totally. By weight bearing he hopes for them to fuse back.

I am 46 and had my tib and fib badly broken and repaired with an intermedullar nail and screws, it is 3months now and i too was disappointed that my last x ray looked no different, however, the surgeon got me right close to it and showed one taken at 4 weeks and i was reassurred to see the difference. It is a surprisingly slow job, but tib and fib breaks are pretty severe.

i will worry along with all of you. i have a "vicious fracture" of the long bone in my foot. after 5 weeks, i see little or no closing except at the end of the longest splinter. i am good and sick of this cast and crutches. i expected 6 weeks tops.

 i\'m 38 and i broke both the tibia and fibula severly and i now have 19 screws and 2 steel plates in it,and after 8wks there was almost no growth,so i was given a bone growth stimulator and a prescription to ride a stationary for 20 mins.a day to ad resistance.it\'s been aimost 14 wks and i go back to the doc in 2 wks so i\'m looking for a miracle.

 i\'m 38 and i broke both the tibia and fibula severly and i now have 19 screws and 2 steel plates in it,and after 8wks there was almost no growth,so i was given a bone growth stimulator and a prescription to ride a stationary for 20 mins.a day to ad resistance.it\'s been aimost 14 wks and i go back to the doc in 2 wks so i\'m looking for a miracle.

I\'m feeling some relief reading all of your comments, because I was getting discouraged. I broke tib/fib and ankle five months ago, and went through the cast, the \"Frankenstein boot\" and now use a cane, but am not even close to walking freely without a cane. Thought I would be walking the Maui beaches long ago.

I know just how you feel. I broke my tibia and fibula in February 2002. I figured 6 to 8 weeks for the bones to heal and I\'d be RUNNING by the end of summer/early Fall. I can barely walk and I\'ve never had a painfree day. When does this get better?!?!

 I have also broken my fibula and it has been seven weeks and still has not healed at all. When I went for my appointment with my ortho he was yelling at me for smoking.
Two days later I had an appointment with my family doc and he said that even though smoking does not help that that could not be the only reason why it has not healed at all and said to get a bone density test and to have get checked for osteopenia. I have had a horrible summer and have gained 15 pounds and now it seems I will be down even longer.

I don't know whether to be encouraged or discouraged by what I am reading here!

I broke my fibula in two places and sheared off a portion of the bottom of my tibia on January 3rd (2003). I have been in a splint until yesterday, and got a permanent cast. The surgeon said if it healed up well (he didn't take new pictures yesterday--too soon he said, and not necessary) in four weeks the cast could come off.

That was very encouraging to hear, although I am still no-weight-bearing and that was disappointing.

Do you all think it realistic that I could be cast-free in four weeks? He also hasn't said anything about PT or braces--that might be someone else's domain, not the surgeon's.

I have been taking glucosamine supplements and am drinking milk for the first time since I was a child (I am 40) so I hope that helps.

9 weeks into a tib/fib compound fracture - 1 rod and two screws in the ankle. Even though the doctors said it was a bad break, i have no doubt those with 10, 15, screws out there have had worse. I know what you guys mean, at 7 weeks (last x-ray) i didn't see much bone regrowth either. As fas as i can see 15 weeks is what the doctors are shooting for to remove my screws which i thought was a long time. I could be worse. Everyone's injury is unique and everyone heals differently - good luck all!

X ray, four months after my compound tib and fib showed no hint of a break, not even a line. Surgeon really surprised at rate of healing for my age - I was 49. Guess I don't have osteoporosis but its a hell of way to find out.

Moira, your comment cheered me up. I'm 48 and I have a distal fibula fracture, 8 days ago I fell down some stairs. Luckily it wasn't a bad fracture. Your comment really cheered me up afer reading the comments on this site I was really depressed. Hopefully those with successful outcomes don't often post their comments! So many sufferers out there taking so long to get back to normal. It's good to hear a positive outcome. Regards Jean