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What questions should I ask my provider?

Questions you can ask your provider include:

• Which of my leg bones are broken?
• Will I need surgery?
• How long will I need to wear a cast?
• How long will I need physical therapy?
• When can I resume physical activities?

Additional Common Questions

How serious is a broken leg?

Breaking a bone in your leg is a serious injury. Any trauma that’s severe enough to break bones in your leg can cause other, potentially life-threatening injuries.

It’s extremely important to go to the emergency room right away if you think you have a broken leg. The sooner your injury is diagnosed and treated, the more likely it is to heal properly. Talk to your provider or surgeon about what to expect.

Can you still walk with a broken leg?

You can’t stand, walk or put weight on your leg with a broken femur or tibia.

Some people with a broken fibula can still walk because it isn’t a weight-bearing bone (it doesn’t support your body weight when you stand and move). But because it’s rare to break your fibula on its own, you shouldn’t try to walk or use it.

Your provider or surgeon will show you how to safely stand, walk and move while you’re wearing a cast or after surgery.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Broken legs can be scary, intense injuries. You’ll probably need to adjust to standing and moving differently for at least a few months while you’re recovering. That time is worth it. Most leg fractures heal very well without long-term consequences.

Physical therapy is a long, hard process. Take time to celebrate your progress and be proud of each step on your recovery journey.

Ask your healthcare provider or surgeon how to take care of your cast if you need one. They’ll give you tips on doing everyday activities like bathing and getting dressed.

Prevention

How can I prevent a broken leg?

You may not be able to prevent a broken leg, especially because traumas you can’t plan for cause them. You might be able to reduce your risk of injuries by following these general safety tips:

• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Wear the right protective equipment for all activities and sports.
• Make sure your home and workspace are free of clutter that could trip you or others.
• Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Never stand on chairs, tables or countertops.
• Follow a diet and exercise plan that’ll help you maintain good bone health.
• Talk to your provider about a bone density test if you’re older than 65 or if members of your biological family have osteoporosis.
• Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk of falls.

Outlook / Prognosis

How long does it take a broken leg to heal?

How long it takes your leg to heal depends on a few factors:

• Which bone was broken.
• What caused the fracture.
• Which treatments you need.
• Any other injuries you experienced.

Most broken legs need at least a few months to heal. Talk to your provider or surgeon about a timeline that fits your specific situation.

Broken leg recovery time

Even after your bone is healed, it might take a while before you’re fully recovered and able to resume all your usual activities. How long it takes depends on which of your leg bones is broken.

Most people who break their legs need several months of physical therapy. A physical therapist will help you regain your strength and range of motion (how far you can move your leg). Your provider or surgeon will tell you what to expect.

It can take up to a year to recover from a broken femur. It usually takes less time to recover from a tibia and/or fibula fracture.

Ask your provider when you can resume physical activities. You’ll need to move your leg to prevent stiffness as you heal, but don’t start playing sports, working out or using your leg for intense physical activities before your provider says it’s safe.

What are the types of X-ray studies?

Several types of X-rays take pictures of different areas inside your body. Some X-rays use contrast material (also known as dye) to make the images clearer. Some of the most common types of X-rays include:

• Abdominal X-ray: This X-ray shows images of your kidneys, stomach, liver and bladder. It helps providers diagnose conditions like kidney stones and bladder stones. There are some special kinds of abdominal X-rays such as a barium enema that use special dyes (called contrast) to evaluate parts of the digestive system.
• Bone X-ray: Your provider uses a bone X-ray study to see broken bones (fractures), dislocated joints and arthritis. Images from bone X-rays can also show signs of bone cancer or infection. A spine X-ray looks at the bones and tissues in the spine.
• Chest X-ray: This test looks for abnormalities in the heart, lungs and bones in the chest like pneumonia.
• Dental X-ray: Regular dental X-rays allow your provider to evaluate your teeth and gums, look for infection and check for cavities.
• Fluoroscopy: A fluoroscopy shows moving images of organs and soft tissues (such as your intestines). Your provider views your organs in motion on a screen (kind of like an X-ray movie). GI X-ray exams often use fluoroscopy.
• CT scan (computed tomography): A radiology study that uses X-rays and a computer to create cross-section images of bones, organs and tissues. This is a donut-shaped machine that you slide through as it takes images.
• Mammogram: Providers use mammograms to take X-ray pictures of breast tissue, evaluate breast lumps and diagnose breast cancer.