Why Movement Matters After a Fracture—Even in a Cast

Why Movement Matters After a Fracture

Even in a Cast, There’s Still Work to Be Done

When you break a bone, the first thing you’re told is usually: “Rest up!”

And yes, rest is important—especially in those early days when the pain is fresh and the bone needs time to settle. But here’s something a lot of people don’t realise: staying completely still for too long can actually slow your recovery down.

Even if you're in a cast, there are safe ways to keep moving. And doing so can make a big difference in how well—and how quickly—you heal.

“But Isn’t the Cast Doing All the Work?”

Great question. A cast is there to:

• Hold the broken bone in place

• Protect the injury from further harm

• Let the bone knit back together over time

But healing isn’t just about the bone.
Muscles, joints, circulation, and even your mindset are all part of the process too.

When you stop moving completely:

• Muscles around the injury get weaker

• Joints nearby can stiffen up

• Swelling can hang around longer

• You can lose balance and confidence

That’s why gentle, guided movement is not only safe—it’s actually one of the best things you can do for yourself during recovery.

What Kind of Movement Is Safe in a Cast?

Let’s be clear: we’re not talking about lifting weights or jogging with a broken leg.

Movement during recovery is all about keeping the rest of your body strong and mobile, without disturbing the healing bone.

Here’s how we help at Forster Tuncurry Physiotherapy:

1. Moving the Joints Around the Cast

Say you’ve broken your wrist. The cast will hold the wrist still—but we’ll help you:

• Move your elbow and shoulder gently

• Keep your fingers mobile

• Avoid stiffness in the whole arm

This keeps the muscles working, reduces swelling, and makes sure that when the cast comes off, your body isn’t starting from zero.

2. Maintaining Strength and Balance

If you’re in a leg cast, we can guide you through safe, seated exercises to:

• Keep your core and upper body strong

• Support your balance

• Stay active without putting weight on the injury

This helps you feel more confident on your feet when you're ready to start walking again.

3. Keeping Your Blood Flowing

Moving safely while in a cast helps improve circulation, which:

• Reduces swelling

• Speeds up the delivery of healing nutrients to the injury

• Helps prevent complications like blood clots (especially in lower limb fractures)

It doesn’t take much—just gentle movement in the right areas can do the trick.

4. Supporting Your Mental Health

Being stuck in a cast can be frustrating. It limits what you can do, and for many people, that loss of independence can really affect their mood.

Movement—even something as simple as gentle stretches or walking with crutches—can:

• Boost your mood

• Give you a sense of progress

• Help you feel more in control of your recovery

How a Physio Helps

We know exactly when and how to start moving safely during your fracture recovery. With a referral from your GP and a confirmed x-ray, we can:

• Fit you with a fibreglass cast (for most simple fractures)

• Guide you through safe exercises while the bone heals

• Help you transition from cast to full mobility again

Think of us as your coach during recovery—helping you stay active, strong, and positive along the way.

Final Thought

Resting a broken bone is important. But completely stopping all movement? Not so helpful.

With the right advice and a little guidance, movement can actually help you heal faster and better—even while the cast is still on.

So if you’ve recently had a fracture, don’t just wait for the cast to come off. Let’s get moving—safely, gently, and with purpose. We’re here to help every step of the way.