Ligament strains are relatively serious compared to fractures. If a ligament strain is a mild ligament tear, the ligament is usually prohibited from activity and can repair itself in about 2-3 weeks. But in the case of a fracture, even a mild one, it can take 2-3 months at the earliest to fully heal before you can do light activities or walk on the ground. If the fracture is serious or even dislocated, it must be repositioned manually and fixed with splint or cast. If the repositioning is unsuccessful or the dislocation occurs again after the repositioning, it must be repositioned surgically by incision and internal fixation with plates or other materials.