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Overview
Muscles weaken in a cast.
Skin may be dry.
When to get medical care
Call 911Not an emergency.
Get care todaySwelling or pain getting worse.
See a doctor soonStiffness not improving.
Causes
Related to fractures.
OwieClear has pages on 2 conditions that can cause recovering after a broken bone or a cast comes off. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Recovering from a broken boneSee a doctor if it doesn't get better
Most broken bones heal in 6 to 12 weeks.
- Broken bone that isn't healing (nonunion or malunion)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
A broken bone that heals slowly, doesn't heal at all, or heals in the wrong position.
What you can do at home
- Do exercises.
- Moisturize skin.
Medicines
Physical therapy.
At the doctor
The provider will check healing.
Questions you may be asked
- Symptoms
The exam
An exam.
Tests
- X-rays
Prevention
Recover well.
- Follow therapy
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.