Common Fracture Types

A quick glossary for the terms you'll hear:

  • Non-displaced — the bone is broken but the pieces stay aligned

  • Displaced — the pieces shift out of alignment, often needing surgery to realign

  • Comminuted — the bone breaks into three or more pieces

  • Stress fracture — a small crack from repetitive overload, common in runners

  • Avulsion — a small piece of bone pulled away where a tendon or ligament attaches

  • Open (compound) — the bone breaks through the skin, needing more urgent care

The Weight-Bearing Scale

You'll usually hear your status described as one of these:

  • Non-Weight Bearing (NWB) — no weight through the limb at all, not even resting it on the floor

  • Toe-Touch / Touch-Down (TTWB) — light contact for balance only, no real weight

  • Partial Weight Bearing (PWB) — a specific percentage of your body weight, set by your surgeon

  • Weight Bearing As Tolerated (WBAT) — up to full weight, guided by your own pain and confidence

  • Full Weight Bearing (FWB) — no restrictions

What Determines Your Status

Weight-bearing status isn't based on which bone is broken — it's based on the specific fracture pattern, how stable it is, whether and how it was surgically fixed, and your individual healing. Putting weight through a healing fracture too soon can shift the bone or loosen hardware before it's ready to handle the load.

General Healing Timeline

Bone healing follows a predictable biological process, but the timeline varies widely: minor fractures in a splint often heal in about 3–5 weeks, a standard cast is typically worn 6–8 weeks, and more complex or surgically repaired fractures can take several months to a year for full healing. Your age, overall health, the specific bone, and how the fracture was treated all shape your timeline — ask your surgeon what to expect for yours.

General Patterns — Always Confirm With Your Surgeon

These are common tendencies, not individual instructions:

  • Often allowed earlier: stable, non-displaced fractures; many toe fractures; some low-risk ankle fractures with specific surgical fixation

  • Often need longer protection: hip fractures before they've healed, fractures involving a joint surface (like the tibial plateau), heel (calcaneus) fractures, and unstable or comminuted fracture patterns

  • Your surgeon's specific orders always take priority — even if your injury sounds similar to someone else's

Why Following It Exactly Matters

  • Bearing weight too soon can shift the fracture, loosen hardware, or delay healing

  • Being overly cautious for too long can also slow recovery — weakness and stiffness set in fast

  • We'll help you progress exactly on the timeline your surgeon sets, not a day before or after

Bottom line: Your weight-bearing status is written specifically for your fracture — never assume it matches someone else's, even with a similar injury. When your surgeon clears you to progress, we'll help you do it safely and with confidence.