How long will it take for a right thigh comminuted fracture to heal like a normal person?

Written by Wang Fei
Orthopedics
Updated on May 12, 2025
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If a comminuted fracture occurs in the thigh area, recovery is a very complex situation. The first major aspect is related to the nature of the fracture itself, such as whether the comminuted fracture is in the middle, upper, or lower segment of the thigh, and what the comminution is like, which is very relevant.

The second aspect is related to the method of treatment, such as whether surgery was performed in a timely manner, whether anatomical reduction fixation was performed, or whether only traction was applied without good fixation.

The third point is that early and late functional exercises differ; of course, if functional exercises are performed early, recovery will definitely be better than if they are done late.

Therefore, how long it takes for someone with a thigh's comminuted fracture to return to normal depends on many factors.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How long does it take for a comminuted patellar fracture to heal?

If the patella is fractured into fragments, conservative treatment is usually not chosen, and surgical treatment is necessary. There are several surgical methods, but as long as the fixation is sturdy and the joint surface recovers well, normal life and work can generally resume in about six weeks. Typically, a follow-up at the hospital is needed in the fourth week or the twelfth week after surgery. If there are no issues at these check-ups, normal work and life can continue. However, the internal fixatives such as steel pins, wires, or memory alloy bone clamps should be removed within six months to a year post-surgery. It is generally recommended that the internal fixation devices be removed around thirteen months after surgery when the patella has healed well, and the knee joint function has been restored, allowing for a return to a normal life. So, for a comminuted patellar fracture, recovery to normal life typically takes about six weeks, and the internal fixation devices can be removed in about a year.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How long will it take to walk after a comminuted fracture of the tibia?

The decision on when to walk depends on the recovery status of the fracture. Generally, a tibial fracture requires about 4-6 weeks of rest. Around 4-6 weeks, you can revisit the hospital for an X-ray checkup. If the callus is growing well, and the fracture line is blurred or disappeared, you can start using crutches to walk and perform functional exercises. However, recovery from a comminuted fracture takes longer, so an X-ray examination is essential before starting to walk. If the examination results show good recovery, then you can start walking. If you walk too early, it may interfere with the fracture healing, and in severe cases, it might even cause the fracture to break again. Therefore, the time it takes for someone with a comminuted tibial fracture to walk depends on the specific circumstances, and an X-ray examination must be performed before walking.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How to treat a lumbar compression fracture

A comminuted fracture has occurred in the lumbar vertebrae, and the treatment method should be chosen based on the degree of displacement of the fracture, that is, the occupancy within the spinal canal and the extent of compression of the lumbar fracture. Generally speaking, if there is significant compression inside the spinal canal, and the height of the vertebral body of the lumbar spine is also greatly compromised, surgical intervention is necessary to restore the height of the vertebral body. If necessary, decompression inside the spinal canal should be performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, alleviate symptoms, and facilitate early functional recovery of the patient.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How long after a patellar comminuted fracture can one start walking?

Patellar comminuted fractures generally require surgical treatment. If the surgery goes well, patients can start moving around with the aid of crutches one week after the surgery. Initially, changing positions is not allowed. Generally, patients can start by placing the toes on the ground two weeks post-surgery, followed by the middle part of the foot, and finally the heel. This progression occurs from two to six weeks after the surgery.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Will a comminuted patella fracture cause limping?

Patellar comminuted fractures, as long as treated promptly and correctly, and if the surgery poses no issues, generally heal in about six months, thereby not causing any significant impact. Thus, there's no need to worry about limping. Limping usually means that when walking, one leg appears longer than the other. Under what circumstances can limping occur? If the difference in leg length is within one centimeter, it's imperceptible and won't have any effect. If the difference exceeds two centimeters, then there is a noticeable tilt in the lower limbs, and only then can limping be observed during walking; however, even if limping occurs, it is not severe. It just means that while walking, there is a tilt towards the shorter side. After treatment, patellar comminuted fractures have a complete chance of healing and once healed properly, it's almost like before the injury. Even in severe cases where the fracture is critically fragmented and requires removal, even without patellar replacement, by reinforcing the patellar tendon, it typically does not result in limping. It only impacts the strength in knee extension, possibly creating a mild impediment compared to the other side, and might make walking appear slightly abnormal, but it definitely does not lead to limping. Hence, patellar comminuted fractures do not result in limping.