Broken Bones

A broken bone happens when too much force is put on a bone and it cracks or breaks. This is also called a fracture. Broken bones can hurt a lot, but they can heal if you take care of them.

How Bones Break

Bones are strong, but they can break if you fall hard, get hit, or twist the wrong way. A small crack is called a hairline fracture. A bigger break might make the bone move out of place.

If you think you broke a bone, do not move that body part. Tell an adult right away so you can get to a doctor.

How Bones Heal

A doctor will take an X-ray to see the break. Then they may put a cast or splint on the broken bone to keep it still. Your body starts making new bone cells right away to fill in the crack.

Most broken bones in kids heal in four to eight weeks. Eating foods with calcium and vitamin D helps your bones heal faster.

Fun Facts

• Kids' bones heal faster than adult bones because they are still growing.
• The collarbone is the most commonly broken bone in kids.
• A cast is usually made of plaster or fiberglass and keeps the bone perfectly still.

Did You Know?

After a bone heals, the spot where it broke can actually be stronger than the rest of the bone for a while!