If you have had an accident resulting in a broken bone, then your life is going to be very different for the next few weeks or months. Everyday tasks like showering and going downstairs will be considerably more difficult, and you will have to find ways to adapt to your reduced mobility.
Depending on the nature and severity of your fracture, it could take anywhere from six weeks to six months to fully recover and return to normality. But you shouldn’t let your injury prevent you from living your life. There’s no need to spend your recuperation period sitting on the sofa watching bad TV. You will still be able to do many of the things you did before – you may just need to find different ways to accomplish them.
To get you started on the road to recovery, here are five tips for living well with a broken bone.
Listen to your doctor
There is no one-size-fits-all advice when it comes to what you can and can’t do with a broken bone. It will all depend on just how serious your specific injury is. If you still want to exercise or go to work while your arm is in a cast, consult with your doctor to see whether this is practical. They may advise that a little light physical activity such as walking or gentle jogging is OK, but don’t do anything unless you know for sure. The last thing you want is to be back in hospital because you’ve worsened the damage.
Stay active
Inactivity is one of the worst things for recovery, so you should make sure you keep your body moving. That’s not to say you should run a marathon every day, in fact, you should be very careful not to injure yourself even more. But going for walks, hopping on the exercise bike, or having a yoga session can speed things up on the path to recovery. Not to mention helping your mental wellbeing while you are stuck at home.
It’s important you also take steps to keep your mind active as well as your body. Don’t spend your time sitting on your phone or in front of the TV. Read books, have conversations with friends, or start a creative project like a jigsaw puzzle or a piece of art.
Adapt your home
If you are wearing a cast or sling, or maybe even using a cane, crutches, or a wheelchair, then it will be a lot harder to move about. And as a result, you will probably need to adapt your home to fit your current circumstances. For example, moving the furniture around will give you a clearer path to get around your home without bumping into things. Clear any clutter or loose rugs and cables that could be a hazard too. It may even be necessary to ask someone to temporarily move your bed or home office downstairs to save you making the trip up and down multiple times a day. If you live alone, make sure you always have your phone to hand in case you have a fall and need medical attention.
Make your life easier
Even with a broken bone, you will still have to perform everyday tasks like cooking and going grocery shopping. But there are ways you can make these chores a lot easier for yourself in your current state. For example, you could stock your freezer full of healthy meals that you can simply pop in the microwave or oven and heat them up in a flash. This will save you slaving over the stove for hours and having mountains of washing up to deal with. You may also want to order your shopping online while you’re recovering and have it delivered to your door. The delivery driver may even help you pack your groceries away if you explain that you are injured.
Seek compensation
If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be liable to receive compensation. Perhaps you broke your arm due to a trip hazard at work or you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s poor driving. Living with a fracture is a lot more difficult, and may set you back financially as well. Therefore, you may wish to let a personal injury lawyer help you take the responsible party to court and receive a deserved financial payout.
By following these five tips, you will be equipped with the tools to help you recover from your injury as quickly as possible.