Fracture 骨折

 A fracture (broken bone) can happen after a fall, sports injury, workplace accident or road traffic accident. 

While many fractures require emergency medical care or surgery, selected fractures may be managed conservatively, and rehabilitation is often needed even after surgery.

At JIN TCM Clinic, our MOH-registered TCM physicians provide fracture assessment, TCM bone setting (for suitable cases), acupuncture, herbal medicine and rehabilitation to support pain relief, bone healing and recovery of movement.

Common fractures that we see: wrist fracture, finger fracture, clavicle fracture, ankle fracture, metatarsal fracture, elbow fracture, humerus fracture, rib fracture and etc.

Important: Not every fracture is suitable for conservative (non-surgical) treatment. Our physicians will assess each case carefully and refer patients to the appropriate medical specialist whenever surgery or emergency management is required.

From a modern medical perspective:

A fracture causes disruption of the bone, surrounding muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and soft tissues.

Bone healing occurs in several stages:

1. Inflammatory Phase (0–7 days)

Immediately after injury:

• Bleeding occurs around the fracture site. 
• A blood clot (fracture haematoma) forms. 
• Inflammatory cells begin removing damaged tissue. 
• Swelling, pain and warmth are common. 

This stage is essential for initiating healing.

2. Reparative Phase (1–8 weeks)

The body begins rebuilding bone.

Soft callus develops first, followed by hard callus formation as new bone bridges the fracture.

During this period:

• Pain gradually decreases. 
• Bone stability improves. 
• Gentle movement may be introduced depending on the fracture. 

3. Remodelling Phase (Months to Years)

New bone continues to strengthen.

The bone gradually reshapes according to mechanical loading.

Rehabilitation becomes increasingly important to restore:

• Joint mobility 
• Muscle strength 
• Coordination 
• Functional movement

From a TCM viewpoint:

Fractures belong to the category of "骨折", with treatment focusing on 接骨续筋 (joining bone and reconnecting tendons).

Different stages of healing have different treatment principles.

Early Stage

• Qi and Blood stagnation 
• Swelling 
• Pain 
• Blood stasis obstructing the channels 

Treatment focuses on:

• 活血化瘀 
• 消肿止痛 

Promote circulation while reducing swelling and pain.

Middle Stage

Bone begins to unite.

Treatment focuses on:

• 接骨续筋 
• 促进骨痂形成 

Support bone healing while improving circulation.

Late Stage

After bone union:

Treatment emphasises:

• 补益肝肾 
• 强筋壮骨 

Restore tendon function, strengthen muscles and improve joint movement.

Patients with fractures may experience:

• Severe pain immediately after injury 
• Swelling and bruising 
• Difficulty moving the affected limb 
• Deformity or abnormal alignment 
• Reduced strength 
• Stiffness after immobilisation 
• Muscle wasting after prolonged casting or surgery 

Following cast removal or surgery, many patients also develop:

• Joint stiffness 
• Reduced range of motion 
• Muscle weakness 
• Persistent swelling 
• Difficulty returning to daily activities

At JIN TCM Clinic, we perform a comprehensive assessment while recognising the importance of modern imaging.

Whenever available, we review:

• X-rays 
• CT scans 
• MRI (if soft tissue injury is suspected) 
• Surgical reports 
• Orthopaedic recommendations 

For suspected fractures without prior imaging, patients will be referred promptly for appropriate medical assessment.

We assess:

• Pain location 
• Swelling 
• Joint mobility 
• Muscle tightness 
• Limb alignment 
• Functional movement 
• Muscle strength 
• Walking pattern (for lower limb injuries)

Treatment is individualised according to:

• Blood stasis 
• Qi stagnation 
• Cold-Damp obstruction 
• Liver-Kidney deficiency 
• Qi and Blood deficiency during recovery 

This integrated assessment helps us determine the most appropriate treatment plan at each stage of healing.

  For selected closed fractures that are suitable for conservative management, trained TCM Orthopaedic Physicians may perform fracture reduction.

The goals are to:

• Restore bone alignment 
• Reduce pain 
• Promote optimal healing 
• Minimise future deformity 

Depending on the fracture, immobilisation may include:

• Splints 
• Bandaging 
• External fixation techniques 

If a fracture is unstable, displaced, involves the joint, or requires surgery, patients will be referred to the appropriate orthopaedic specialist.

 Herbal paste may be applied externally during appropriate stages of healing.

Benefits may include:

• Reducing swelling 
• Relieving pain 
• Improving local circulation 
• Supporting soft tissue recovery 

Applications are individualised according to the stage of injury.

 Manual therapy is usually introduced when appropriate and once the fracture is sufficiently stable.

Components include:

• Myofascial release 
• Soft tissue mobilisation 
• Scar tissue management (post-operative) 
• Muscle tension release 
• Joint mobilisation (when appropriate) 

Benefits:

• Reduce stiffness 
• Improve circulation 
• Restore normal movement 
• Prepare for rehabilitation

 Acupuncture is commonly used throughout recovery.

Potential benefits include:

• Pain relief 
• Reduction of swelling 
• Improved local circulation 
• Relaxation of surrounding muscles 
• Promotion of tissue healing 
• Reduction of post-operative discomfort 

Electro-acupuncture may be used during rehabilitation to facilitate muscle activation and recovery where appropriate.

Cupping is generally not applied directly over an acute fracture site.

Instead, it may be used on surrounding muscles after the acute stage to:

• Reduce muscle tightness 
• Improve circulation 
• Relieve compensatory muscle strain 
• Reduce chronic stiffness 

Techniques include:

• Stationary cupping 
• Sliding cupping 
• Flash cupping (selected cases)

 Herbal medicine is prescribed according to the stage of healing.

Early stage:

• Reduce swelling 
• Promote circulation 
• Relieve pain 

Middle stage:

• Support bone union 
• Strengthen tendons 

Late stage:

• Nourish Liver and Kidney 
• Strengthen muscles and bones 
• Restore function 

Commonly used herbs may include:

• Xu Duan (续断) 
• Gu Sui Bu (骨碎补) 
• Du Zhong (杜仲) 
• Dang Gui (当归) 
• Hong Hua (红花) 

Herbal prescriptions are always tailored to the individual.

 Range of Motion Training

Restore joint flexibility after immobilisation.

Muscle Strengthening

Gradually rebuild:

• Shoulder 
• Arm 
• Forearm 
• Wrist 
• Hip 
• Knee 
• Ankle 

depending on the injury.

Functional Training

Restore:

• Grip strength 
• Walking 
• Balance 
• Daily activities 
• Sports-specific movement (when appropriate) 

Lifestyle Advice

Patients receive guidance on:

• Safe return to work 
• Exercise progression 
• Lifting techniques 
• Fall prevention 
• Nutrition to support recovery

During your first consultation, our physicians perform a detailed assessment, review your imaging where available, and determine whether conservative TCM treatment is appropriate.

If suitable, an individualised treatment plan may include:

• Acupuncture 
• Manual therapy 
• Bone setting (selected cases) 
• Herbal medicine 
• Herbal paste 
• Rehabilitation exercises 

Every fracture heals differently depending on:

• Age 
• Bone involved 
• Fracture pattern 
• Surgery 
• Overall health 

Most patients experience gradual improvement over several weeks, while complete recovery of strength and function may take several months.

It is normal to experience:

• Mild soreness after treatment 
• Temporary muscle fatigue after rehabilitation 
• Gradual rather than immediate improvement 

We do not sell fixed treatment packages.

Treatment frequency is personalised according to your healing progress and clinical needs.

 Seek urgent medical attention immediately if you experience:

• Open fractures (bone protruding through the skin) 
• Severe deformity after injury 
• Loss of blood supply (cold, pale or blue fingers/toes) 
• Loss of sensation or inability to move the limb 
• Severe uncontrolled pain 
• Increasing swelling causing severe tightness (possible compartment syndrome) 
• Fever, increasing redness or wound discharge after surgery (possible infection) 

These conditions require prompt medical assessment and may need emergency orthopaedic treatment.

• MOH-registered bilingual TCM Physicians 
• Expertise in TCM Orthopaedics (跌打损伤与正骨) 
• Comprehensive assessment integrating modern imaging with TCM diagnosis 
• Individualised fracture rehabilitation programmes 
• Integrated care combining acupuncture, Zheng Gu, manual therapy, herbal medicine and rehabilitation 
• Evidence-informed, patient-centred treatment 
• Focus on restoring both bone healing and long-term function

Whether you have a recent fracture, are recovering after surgery, or continue to experience pain, stiffness or weakness after your cast has been removed, our physicians will assess your condition comprehensively and develop a personalised treatment plan to support your recovery safely and effectively. 

JIN TCM Clinic 精诚中医诊所 @ Ubi
📞 +65 8896 9398

JIN TCM Clinic 精诚中医诊所 @ Aljunied
📞 +65 8896 3210

JIN TCM Clinic 精诚中医诊所 @ Commonwealth

📞 +65 8896 0678

Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Not all fractures are suitable for TCM conservative treatment. Management depends on the fracture type, location, stability, and the patient's overall condition. Where appropriate, our physicians will refer patients to orthopaedic specialists or emergency services for further assessment and treatment. 

Medically reviewed by Physician Tan Jun You

MOH-registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Physician

Master's Degree in Orthopaedics & Traumatology (Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Clinical interests:

• Fractures 
• Sports injuries 
• Bone setting (正骨) 
• Pain management 
• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation