Fracture Return to Work
Timelines by injury site & job type, plus tips for faster recovery
How soon you can return to work after a fracture depends largely on which bone was broken and what kind of work you do.
Desk work can often resume fairly early, but physical labor requires waiting until the bone has fully healed.
Returning too soon can slow healing or cause a re-fracture.
It is important to follow your doctor's guidance and return to work step by step.
Keep moving the joints that are not immobilized to prevent muscle loss
Physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength helps you get back to work sooner
Start with shorter hours or desk duties, then slowly increase to your full workload
Share the return timeline and any work restrictions with your employer
Rushing back too soon can delay bone healing or lead to re-fracture. Combining rehab during immobilization and proper nutrition supports a safe and speedy return; ultrasound bone therapy is added when the indication and coverage requirements are met. If your fracture happened at work, it may be covered by workers' compensation, which pays for treatment and provides leave benefits worth 80% of your basic daily benefit amount.
Fractures that happen at work or while commuting may be covered by workers' compensation.
Once a claim is approved, your treatment is covered with no out-of-pocket cost. If you have to take time off, benefits start from the 4th day of leave and come to 80% of your "basic daily benefit amount" (a daily figure calculated from your wages over the previous 3 months, excluding bonuses). That 80% is made up of a 60% leave compensation benefit plus a 20% special leave allowance. No workers' compensation is paid for the first 3 days (the waiting period); for an injury at work, your employer covers 60% of your average wage for those days. Our clinic can prepare all the necessary paperwork, so please feel free to ask.