Fracture and Repair

 

The purpose of this website is to provide information on the areas of bone fracture and repair. The site will address the different types of bone fracture and what causes them, how they are treated and repaired (through external treatment and internal molecular processes), as well as highlighting some disorders that may make people susceptible to fractures.

 

      Metacarpal Fracture

 

                                       Fig.1 (Hover over for description)

 

 

Fig.1 – Courtesy of f_r_e, flickr

What causes fractures?

 

Fractures are most often caused by severe impact, but can also be as a direct result of bone weakening diseases or overuse/repetitive strain. A bone is caused to fracture when the force exerted on it exceeds the level of force that the particular bone can withstand.

 

Common causes of fracture include:

 

  • Traumatic, forceful, unnatural movements (eg. over twisting, crushing forces).
  • High impact traumas (eg. falls, car crashes, being struck by a hard object).
  • Overuse (eg. over exercise).
  • Disorders (eg. osteoporosis, tumours).

Symptoms and Severity

 

  The symptoms and severity of bone fractures often depend on the location of the bone fracture. Common symptoms of bone fracture include:

 

  • Intense pain.
  • Tingling or numbness in and around the area of the fracture.
  • Limited mobility or a complete inability to move the fractured limb.
  • Irregular or out of shape limb or joint.
  • Bruising, bleeding or swelling.

 

 The severity of the fracture depends heavily on where the fracture is located and how it is treated. For example, the fracture may be in an area where it can cause nerve damage (such as the humerus), or in an area that is difficult to treat. If the fracture is not treated properly it can result in infection, which could lead to the possible need for amputation, or the incorrect setting of the bone, which could result in future pain or mobility problems.

 

 

 

 

 

Banner Images - Courtesy of Sjbrown, Wikipedia

 

 

 

News

Maintaining Bone Health, Says Calcium Supplements “Very Important”

26/04/2011 22:01
British Medical Journal Calcium supplements play a very important role in maintaining bone health says the British Medical Journal.  Sufficient calcium intake has a significant role in building and maintaining maximum bone mass. ...

Journal of Osteoporosis

26/04/2011 22:00
"Journal of Osteoporosis is a peer-reviewed, open access journal that publishes original research articles, review articles, and clinical studies in all areas of osteoporosis."  https://www.sage-hindawi.com/journals/josteo/