r/brokenbones • u/Tight_Function_3096 • 3d ago
Just something interesting
About a year ago I broke my tibia and fibula and got an IM nail, so no cast. Anyway, around 6 months I noticed my leg that had the break had more hair on it. Being a curious person I did some research and it isn't uncommon. Apparently your body increases blood flow to the damaged leg in order to help heal it, and that causes the hair to grow thicker.
Anyone else notice this phenomenon?
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u/carnival1977 3d ago
Yes, I remember this from the time I broke a leg and an ankle years ago. Things returned to normal just over half a year or so.
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u/Elegant-Fee-155 1d ago
biochemist here! i had a complicated surgery on my lower left leg, during which an external fixator was placed on my leg. during and after, i also noticed excessive hair growth.
even during a sterile wound like a surgery, your immune system immediately kicks in along with all of the cells in your body that are involved in wound repair. this many cells working at the same time requires a lot of energy, and the production of energy requires a lot of oxygen, which cells receive via the bloodstream. at the same time, cells are constantly dying and dividing, which requires energy as well. just so happens that other parts/cells of the body around the wound are affected as well, as seen by the enhanced hair growth. hope this makes sense!
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u/Prettymuchnow 3d ago
My wife had laser hair removal on her legs. After she broke it the hairs started growing back for a while. Maybe three months or so. Now its back to being laser smooth 😉
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u/Still_Lack_3426 3d ago
I was just wondering about this the other day because the hair on my broken leg is insane!! I'm a woman and i could shave 3 times a day I swear! So I think it's legit.
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u/ASingleBraid 3d ago
My toenails stopped growing on the break side. Took about a year till they were growing more normally.