Calcium and drinking milk would be good for your overall, long term, health but as far as immediate help to “speed up your healing” taking calcium or drinking milk will not make much of a difference for current fracture healing.
What may help with fracture healing is:
- Smoking cessation
“Several basic science studies have documented the effects of tobacco use on the musculoskeletal system at the cellular and molecular levels, including the development or worsening of intervertebral disk degeneration, osteoporosis, arthritis, and delayed ligament healing.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Immobilization during healing.
- Controlling your blood sugars (for diabetics)
Once the fracture is healed then you can start to increase activities as tolerated. Stretching and therapy will be a large part of getting back to normal. Dr. J Clint Walker, MD in our office notes, “Strength and endurance will continue to improve for up to one year but you will have returned to normal activities way before that.”
If you are concerned about your bone health following a fracture then it may be a good idea to contact your primary care physician with these concerns. There is often a concern among middle age women and fractures. The fear of osteopenia or change in bone density. If you have this concern then you should make an appointment with your primary care physician for a work up.