Is a Broken Bone More Likely to Break Again? What You Should Know

What Actually Happens When a Bone Breaks

Bones are living tissue. Sounds weird, but yep, they grow, heal, and adapt. So when a bone breaks (or fractures, to be fancy), the body starts working overtime to fix it. New bone cells rush in, a hard callus forms, and eventually, if all goes well, it remodels into strong, healthy bone again.

Some doctors even say a healed bone can be stronger than before... at least for a while. But hold on — that doesn’t mean it’s invincible now. Far from it.

Let’s dig deeper.

Are Previously Broken Bones Really More Fragile?

Right after healing: stronger — but not immune

There’s this popular myth: "It’ll never break in the same place again." And, well… that’s kinda true, but only under ideal healing conditions. In the early months after a fracture heals, the repaired area can actually be denser and tougher than the original bone.

But — and this is key — that doesn’t last forever.

Over time, bone remodeling smooths out the excess density, and the bone gradually returns to its original strength (or weakness). So yeah, it's like a temporary superpower.

I had a wrist fracture in high school from skating (classic), and the ortho doc told me: “You’re good now, but don’t go thinking you’re Wolverine.” He was right. It healed well, but a few years later? That same arm was vulnerable again when I fell during a snowball fight. (Yep. Embarrassing.)

Risk depends on how well it healed

If the bone was:

• set properly

• fully immobilized

• given enough healing time

• followed up with physical therapy

…then the odds of reinjury in the same exact spot are pretty low.

But if healing was incomplete — or rushed — then yeah, you’re playing with fire. That area becomes a weak point.

Nearby areas may actually be more at risk

Weird twist: many repeat fractures don’t happen in the same exact spot, but around it. Why? Because the rest of the bone or joint may be compensating. Think of it like an old wooden chair — if you fix one broken leg too well, the pressure shifts to the next weakest point.

Who’s More Likely to Rebreak a Bone?

Kids vs adults vs seniors

• Kids: Usually heal fast and strong. Their bones are still growing, which helps. Less chance of rebreaking — unless they’re super active (and many are).

• Adults: Heal slower. If they don’t take recovery seriously, the bone might not return to full strength.

• Seniors: Big risk zone. Conditions like osteoporosis make bones brittle, so fractures — and refractures — are more common.

Athletes and the "rush back to play" problem

Pro or amateur, a lot of athletes push their return. “I feel fine” is not the same as “the bone is ready.”
I knew a guy in my soccer league who re-fractured his foot two weeks after coming back. Why? He skipped rehab. Don’t be that guy.

Can You Prevent a Rebreak?

Build bone strength long-term

• Calcium + vitamin D: yeah, old advice, but still true

• Weight-bearing exercise: walking, light weights, resistance bands

• Avoid smoking and excess alcohol: seriously, they mess with bone density

Listen to your body during recovery

If you feel pain, swelling, or instability — even months after a fracture — talk to your doctor. It’s not worth risking a setback.

And honestly? Sometimes the ego is the biggest enemy. You don’t need to prove anything by "toughing it out" or “getting back out there.” Let the bone do its thing.

Final Take: Is a Broken Bone More Likely to Break Again?

Not always. If it heals right, it may actually be less likely to break in the exact same spot — for a time.
But the risk shifts. The surrounding bone, joints, or even the opposite limb might get stressed.

So, be smart. Let it heal fully. Respect the process. Because while bones do heal — they don’t forget bad treatment.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.