If your child has broken a bone, they will likely have to remain in a cast for some time, and you may be wondering when it is time to remove their cast after a fracture.

Story by: Norton Children’s on April 14, 2023

If your child has broken a bone, they will likely have to remain in a cast for some time, and you may be wondering when it is time to remove their cast after a fracture. This can depend on several factors, including the child’s age, the bone that was fractured, the location of the fracture on the bone, the type of fracture and whether the injury requires surgery.

The time it takes for a bone fracture to heal often exists on a spectrum based on age. Young children heal faster than teens, and teens heal faster than young adults. Young adults can heal faster than older adults, and so on. Patients will remain in a cast until the bone is healed enough to remove it and they can gradually return to normal activities.

Most parents should expect their child to be in a cast for four to eight weeks, on average, according to Daniel R. Bachman, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon with Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Some injuries will require less time in a cast, and other fractures will require additional healing time before the cast can be removed.

In young children, most bone fractures can heal in four to six weeks. Teens generally take at least six weeks to heal. Healing time is longer for adults who have fractured a bone. Since there are so many factors that go into ensuring a bone is healed, it is important for children to work with a pediatric orthopedist who has the proper training and expertise to know that a bone is healing correctly, including when it’s time to remove a cast after a fracture. Even after removing the cast, the bone will continue to heal, highlighting the importance of follow-up appointments with the child’s orthopedist.

If a child doesn’t see a pediatric orthopedic specialist, they can run the risk of being in a cast for longer than necessary. Working with the team at Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville ensures that a child receives the right kind of care that promotes optimal healing of their growing bones.

Most children’s bones continue developing through high school; therefore, it is extremely important to make sure that their injury heals correctly to reduce the chances of experiencing issues with their body’s growth and development. Ignoring this or removing a cast on your own could result in complications, including permanent injuries and chronic pain.