“How long should a skull fracture take to heal?”
My father had a car accident where his skull was fracture. The fracture needed to have surgery, which happened just yesterday. While it went well, and he's already conscious, we wanted to know how long will the healing process take?
7 Answers
If it needed surgery, I assume it was either open and contaminated, or it was depressed enough to be compressing the underlying brain. If that is the case, surgery took care of the problem. There is nothing that needs to heal now except the incision, which will heal like any skin wound. Your dad's surgeon is the best person to ask about your dad specifically, as only the person that was there during surgery can say specifically what to expect after that specific surgery.
I’m glad your father is doing well after surgery. Most of the healing occurs in the first 6 weeks but it may be visible on x rays for several months.
Linear non depressed and closed takes about 6 weeks. Age, nutrition, medications could slow or prevent the bone from healing
This is variable as to the type of fracture--was in only a crack, a depressed skull fracture, or a compound skull fracture. Why did they operate? These answers could help make a guestimate.
Three months for bone to heal.
Please discuss this with your care team. A skull fracture should heal within 12 weeks but healing is a process. It can be followed with imaging (CT)
Skull fractures usually only need surgery if they are depressed. Linear (straight line) fractures are non surgical.
Most surgeons use little titanium plates and screws for skull repair which confers some immediate stability. The bone usually grows together over 6 months or so with some variability.
Most surgeons use little titanium plates and screws for skull repair which confers some immediate stability. The bone usually grows together over 6 months or so with some variability.
