How long does it take for a fracture of the spinous process to heal?

Question

Hello doctor,

I suffered a spinous process C7 fracture six and a half weeks ago. I experience no numbness, only difficulty in moving my arms due to pain and sharp discomfort in my neck. The doctors advised me to take medication for two weeks, wear a soft collar for eight to ten weeks, and rest. I am feeling better now, but I still experience sharp pain after sitting for an hour. What precautions should I take? When can I expect to be pain-free? Is there a risk of the same fracture recurring in the future? Can I resume normal domestic activities like cooking, walking, and exercising? I have gained weight during this period.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This fracture typically takes nearly eight weeks to heal completely, or sometimes even longer. You can resume daily activities now, such as cooking, but continue using the collar for at least eight weeks while engaging in activities as much as possible to expedite the healing process. However, refrain from heavy activities involving the upper limb until complete pain relief is achieved and the site is non-painful, which is expected in eight to ten weeks. Nonetheless, some discomfort may persist for a longer period due to other injuries. You can engage in daily walking or brisk walking with the collar on to burn calories.

Regarding the risk of fracture, once it has healed, it depends on whether you sustain re-injury or not. If there are no recurrent injuries, then there is no risk of fracture. Some degree of weakness in the bone may persist, but it will not fracture on its own.

I hope this information helps you, and please reach out if you have any doubts.

Thank you.

How long does it take for a fracture of the spinous process to heal?

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