Many types of fractures exist and treatment depends on fracture location, fracture type, patient age, patient activity level, and many other variables. All fractures are not treated the same, and sometimes even the same fracture in two different aged people may be treated differently. Generally, fractures require 6-12 weeks to adequately heal. Some bones heal faster than others depending on soft tissue coverage, blood supply, and location. Some fracture types may require that the patient not place weight on the injury while healing occurs. Factors that may effect how quickly your fracture heals include age, concomitant diseases, vitamin levels, hormone levels, nutrition levels, and smoking status. (see section on nutrition) Your primary care physician can be instrumental in helping you detect and correct some of these abnormalities. A daily multivitamin and supplemental Vitamin D are nearly always beneficial. Not smoking also increases your chances of success tremendously.  Patients with compromised bone quality and low mineral density such as osteopenia and osteoporosis may be prone to fractures. These are known as fragility fractures. Fragility fractures account for the high incidence of wrist fractures and hip fractures seen in the elderly population. Bone mineral density testing is important later in life to prevent future fractures, and especially after a known fragility fracture. Ask us about how to schedule a bone density screening.