About half of all humans will break a bone at some point in their lives. Whether it’s a dramatic tightrope-walking disaster or the far more relatable Canadian winter classic, slipping on ice, your body has a surprisingly sophisticated repair system ready to go.

This video from TED Ed dives into what actually happens inside your body when a bone snaps. First comes the inflammatory phase (aka the cleanup crew), followed by a quick cartilage patch, and finally a full bone rebuild where specialized cells reshape the fracture until it’s strong again. Over time, the bone can even return almost perfectly to its original form.

It’s important to remember that our skeleton isn’t just a rigid frame: it’s constantly rebuilding and adapting to the forces we put on it. So walking, running, and lifting weights literally help make your bones stronger.

Watch below to see the surprisingly complex biology that turns a painful break into a healed bone. And remember: there’s nothing humorous about a broken humerus.