Rib Fracture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Broken ribs are more common in older adults than younger people. The ribs may be fractured in more than one place. They generally take from 3 to 8 weeks to heal.

Causes
Causes range from a fall or a blow to the chest to hard coughing or sneezing.

Signs/Symptoms
You'll suffer pain, especially when taking a breath. Other symptoms are tenderness and shallow breathing. You may feel as though you have to hold your chest to relieve the pain. There may be bruising at the place of injury.

Care
The break will need to heal naturally. To speed healing, follow the guidelines listed below.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
• Avoid strenuous activity. Be careful not to bump the injured rib.
• Eat a normal, well-balanced diet. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid constipation.
• Take deep breaths several times a day to keep the lungs free of infection.
• Do not wear a rib belt or binder.
• You may apply heat to the injury to help relieve pain. Use a warm heating pad, whirlpool bath, or warm, moist towels.
• You may use over-the-counter pain-killers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.

Call Your Doctor If...
• You develop a high temperature.
• You develop a cough.
• You cough up thick or bloody sputum.

Seek Care Immediately If...
• You have trouble breathing.
• You develop nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
• Your pain gets worse.

Source: http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc2180.htm

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Painkillers may prevent broken bones healing

Some painkilling drugs may delay or even prevent the healing of fractures, researchers have warned.

"It's time to tell the public," says Thomas Einhorn, an orthopaedic surgeon at Boston University Medical Center and also a paid consultant to Merck, which makes one of the drugs under scrutiny. "It would seem that a prudent approach is to temporarily avoid the use of these drugs during bone healing."

The main concern is the new generation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When Patrick O'Connor's team at the University of New Jersey gave these newer painkillers to rats their broken bones did not fully heal. Both drugs, Rofecoxib (sold as Vioxx) and Celecoxib (Celebrex), are often used to ease the pain of broken bones.

Merck, the maker of Rofecoxib, rejects the claim that healing could be impaired in people too. It pointed out a study on spinal fusion operations that found no bone healing problems in people given Rofecoxib. Celecoxib's maker Pharmacia did not respond to queries before New Scientist went to press.

Delay or block
But for over 20 years there have been occasional reports of impaired bone healing in patients taking NSAIDs. The issue may have escaped attention because the older generation of NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and indomethacin, only appear to delay healing by a few weeks instead of blocking it. Aspirin is one of the few NSAIDs that appears to kill pain without this side effect.

"Ibuprofen and indomethacin delay bone healing by about one to two weeks in rats, which is the equivalent to slowing it down by 25 to 50 per cent in humans," says O'Connor. None of the rats treated with Rofecoxib managed to heal their bones. In those treated with Celecoxib, none managed to completely heal their bones but about half had some form of bone regrowth.

Traditional NSAIDs inhibit the enzymes cox-1 and cox-2. Cox-2 catalyses the production of hormone-like chemicals known as prostaglandins involved in inflammation, while cox-1 has a variety of roles not specific to the inflammatory response. Since the new generation of NSAIDs such as rofecoxib block cox-2 almost exclusively, it was hoped they would have fewer side effects.

But it now seems that cox-2 may be crucial in helping bone-forming stem cells and growth factors do their work. This area now needs to be investigated urgently, says Jeremy Saklatvala of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in London. "In the meantime, people with healing fractures should steer clear of these drugs."

Journal reference: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (vol 17, p 963)

Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2364-painkillers-may-prevent-broken-bones-healing.html

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Childhood Arthritis Raises Risk Of Broken Bones

Childhood arthritis increases the risk of fractures, particularly during adolescence, according to a large study of British patient records. The researchers say that more targeted treatments promoting bone health would benefit patients with childhood-onset arthritis throughout their lifespan.

In addition to raising the risk of fracture during childhood, the researchers also found that childhood-onset arthritis potentially heightens fracture risk after age 45.

A research team led by pediatric rheumatologist Jon M. Burnham, M.D., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, analyzed the medical records of 1,959 patients in the United Kingdom who first experienced arthritis between ages one and 19. The researchers compared those patients to a larger control group of 207,000 patients in a primary care database.

The study appeared online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases on April 21. It was the first research to examine, in a population-based study, the risk of fractures in childhood arthritis patients.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common pediatric rheumatic disease, affecting approximately one in 1,000 U.S. children. It was already known that low bone mass occurs in patients with JIA, because of risk factors such as chronic inflammation, delayed puberty, malnutrition, weakness, inactivity and treatment with steroid medications.

"The goal of this study was to determine if the bone abnormalities seen in JIA are clinically significant, resulting in higher fracture rates, and that is exactly what we found," said Dr. Burnham. "The low bone mass in JIA is associated with skeletal fragility, and causes both short-term and long-term health problems. Someone who fails to attain peak bone mass during adolescence and young adulthood is more vulnerable to fractures in later life, when bone mass inexorably declines."

Fractures are not unusual in healthy, active children, and the researchers compared the records of patients who had juvenile-onset arthritis with those of control subjects. Their data source was the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database, representing primary care records from 1987 to 2002.

The researchers found that 6.7 percent of patients with JIA sustained first fractures, compared to 3.3 percent of control subjects with first fractures, during an average follow-up period of four years. The comparative risk for patients with arthritis was highest at ages 10 to 15 and peaked again after age 45. Patients with arthritis were significantly more likely than controls to suffer fractures in their arm and leg bones.

Dr. Burnham added that the study findings should encourage physicians caring for children with arthritis to more closely monitor their patients for signs of osteoporosis, and to focus on nutritional steps that promote bone health, such as increasing regular intake of calcium and vitamin D.

Because bone health is affected by a combination of factors, including inflammation, inactivity, delayed puberty, impaired nutrition and the use of steroid medications, he added, further studies should concentrate on determining how JIA interacts with these risk factors, and how specific therapies might benefit JIA patients. Dr. Burnham is currently leading multidisciplinary research on bone and muscle strength in JIA and other inflammatory diseases.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/43062.php

CT scan's merits weighed against its risks

BLUFFTON -- Recent reports say that CT scans are overused nationwide and could cause cancer in as many as 3 million people over the next three decades.

Computed Tomography (CT) scans superimpose hundreds of X-ray images to make 3-D pictures of the body. In a matter of minutes, they can show doctors what is occurring inside the body without having to cut someone open. They are especially useful in high-trauma situations that require quick decision-making or to find out what is happening to a stroke patient.

The scans, however, expose patients to radiation, which has the potential to cause cancer.

Dr. Robert Hewes of Hilton Head Regional Medical Center said a CT scan is equivalent to one year's exposure of sunlight. The information doctors can obtain from the scans sometimes far outweighs the risks, he said.

The New England Journal of Medicine study, released last month, reports that one-third of CT scans are medically unnecessary.

Hewes said that number is much higher than what he sees locally. Doctors determine what tests are appropriate based on the type of injury or ailment, a person's medical history and physical exam.

"We want to make sure the patients are getting appropriate exams with the least amount of radiation possible," he said. "I have to say, though, that we also need to be careful of the population, especially those people who are young and females."

Women are more vulnerable to radiation, which can lead to an increased risk of still births.

Dr. Joseph Borelli, president of Bluffton's MRI at Belfair and chairman of the national committee on MRI Accreditation, said excessive levels of radiation lead to breaks in a person's DNA, allowing cancer to spread.

He stands by the MRI, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging.

While an MRI takes about 20 minutes, compared to a five-minute CT, it can provide a better picture of the body.

"It picks up more tumors than a CT would," Borelli said. "And, it's better at looking at bone marrow."

Borelli doesn't expect MRI technology to catch up to CT speed. He also says CT scans are more portable and often used for military men and women in times of war.

Other alternatives include:

• X-rays provide one-dimensional views of fractures or broken bones.

• Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, along with its blood flow. It does not have any negative side effects and is the method of choice for tracking fetal growth and movement.

• A PET scan, or positron emission tomography scan, is a nuclear medicine exam. It carries higher amounts of radiation because a radioactive substance is injected into the body, which causes the person to be radioactive for a few days following the exam.

Source: http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local/story/121710.html

Crew injury Pretty Fly II, Cougar ll out of Hobart

A second crewman has been injured and a third yacht has this afternoon retired from the 63rd Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The NSW yacht Pretty Fly II, skippered by Colin Woods, is heading for Eden this afternoon after crew member Derek Brown suffered a broken nose and cheek bone when he was hit in the face by the spinnaker pole when the boat was about 27 nautical miles from the port town.

Pretty Fly II is making for a rendezvous with a Water Police boat in Eden Harbour so Brown can be transferred to Pambula Hospital.

Full article: http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?SEID=2&Nid=40267&SRCID=0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0

How to tell a broken bone from a hole in the snow

Winter is definitely here, with snow and ice in the morning, followed by sun and puddles in the afternoon. This can often cause a fall. Falling forward is a very common injury from many outside activities -- including skiing, snowboarding or running on icy trails -- and usually results in nothing more than a bruise or a bump.

Most commonly, falls mean a fracture of the wrist or hand, but sometimes the force of the blow can be transferred up the arm to the elbow. In this case, there could be a fracture or dislocation of the bones of the elbow, and the radial head is often where this occurs.

There are two bones in the forearm that connect to one in the upper arm. The humerus is the bone that goes from the shoulder to the elbow. At the elbow, it widens out so that it can connect to the bones of the forearm (the radius and the ulna). The construction of the forearm is complex in that it must allow rotation of the forearm so the wrist can go from facing down to facing up while still providing stability. This is achieved by having each bone swap functions at each end of the forearm. In the elbow, the radius is the bone that rotates. In the wrist, the ulna is the one that allows rotation. It is a pretty neat construct.

If there are excess loads to the forearm or wrist, these stresses can literally be sent up the arm to the elbow. This can result in so much force on the elbow and the forearm bones that something has to give. What gives depends upon many things, but one of the most important is that age of the person.

Young children tend to dislocate the elbow or fracture the end of the humerus or upper arm bone. Older people tend to fracture the wrist since they tend to have less calcium and weaker bones. Between the ages of 30 and 40, more commonly in women, the part of the radius bone that connects with the elbow is where the fracture occurs.

If you are unlucky enough to have an injury like this, here are some of the signs that you should look for:

Pain in and around the elbow, especially on the outside of the elbow.

Swelling around the elbow, especially on the outside.

Pain with bending or straightening the elbow.

Pain with trying to turn the forearm, such as with turning the palm up and down.

Pain in the elbow, especially on the outside, when gripping.

If any of these symptoms are present, you should get the arm in a sling or a splint to protect it and get it checked out. In most cases, the diagnosis is made from a routine X-ray, and we can classify the break as either a type I, II or III fracture depending on the severity.

If the initial X-rays are negative and the pain and especially loss of motion persist, you might need an MRI. This will allow proper treatment and hopefully a rapid return to full activity.

Paul Collins, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine at Orthopedic Health Care in Boise, Idaho. Collins is an avid participant in many outdoor activities.

Source: http://dailycamera.com/news/2007/dec/20/the-elbow-fractures-connected-to-the/

Terry - Eboue deserved red

John Terry has revealed he was 'convinced' he had broken a bone in his foot in the challenge he feels should have brought a red card for Emmanuel Eboue.

The Chelsea captain suffered the injury during the first half of his side's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday and it was initially thought nothing was broken.

Blues boss Avram Grant believed the defender may have hurt ligaments before a further X-ray showed up a broken metatarsal.

Terry expects to be out for up to six weeks and he was unhappy with the tackle by Eboue, which brought a yellow card for the Ivory Coast international.

Studs in

"I've broken the third metatarsal in my foot and reckon I'll be out four to six weeks," wrote Terry in his programme notes for Chelsea's Carling Cup quarter-final tie with Liverpool.

"Tackles have to be made in this game, and especially in a top-of-the-table clash like Sunday's at Arsenal, and I had to make the tackle on Eboue. I felt he left his studs in there and it should have been a sending-off.

"I thought straight away I'd broken something. That's how it felt. Even when the X-ray didn't show up anything on the day, I was convinced there was a break.

"So now I just get on with working hard to get fit again, come back as soon as possible once more and make more tackles."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2992388,00.html

Speeding Up The Healing Process

Healing a broken bone takes time, and many patients don't want to be patient! Healing a broken bone is a process related to factors including patient age, overall health, nutrition, blood flow to the bone, and treatment.

1. Stop Smoking:
Some of these recommendations may be controversial, or unknown the extent to which they affect bone healing. However, this much is clear. Patients who smoke, have a much longer average time to healing, and a much higher risk of developing a nonunion (non-healing of the bone). Smoking alters the blood flow to bone, and it is that blood flow that delivers the necessary nutrients and cells to allow the bone to heal.

2. Eat a Balanced Diet:
Healing of bone requires more nutrients that the body needs to simply maintain bone health. Patients with injuries should eat a balanced diet, and ensure adequate nutritional intake of all food groups.

3. Watch Your Calcium:
Patients with broken bones tend to focus on this one, and I place it below balanced diet, because the focus should be on all nutrients. It's true that calcium is needed to heal bones, but taking excessive doses of calcium will not help you heal faster.

Ensure you are consuming the recommended dose of calcium, and if not, try to consume more natural calcium -- or consider a supplement. Taking mega-doses of calcium does not help a bone heal faster.

4. Adhere to Your Treatment Plan:
Your doctor will recommend a treatment, and you should adhere to this. Your doctor may recommend treatments including cast, surgery, crutches, or others. Altering the treatment ahead of scedule may delay your recovery. By removing a cast or walking on a broken bone before your doctor allows, you may be delaying your healing time.

5. Ask Your Doctor:
There are some fractures that may have treatment alternatives. For example, "Jones" fractures of the foot are a conroversial treatment area. Studies have shown these fractures usually heal with immobilization in a cast and crutches. However, many doctors will offer surgery for these fractures because patients tend to heal much faster.

Surgery creates potential risks, so these options much be weighed carefully. However, there may be options which alter the time it takes for a bone to heal.

6. Augmenting Fracture Healing:
Most often, external devices are not too helpful in accelerating fracture healing. The following devices have not been shown to accelerate the healing of most fractures. However, in difficult situations, these may be helpful to aid in healing of broken bones:

* Electrical Stimulation
* Ultrasound Treatment
* Magnets

Full article: http://orthopedics.about.com/od/castsfracturetreatments/ht/quickly.htm

Doctors: Now The Riskiest Time Of Year For Broken Bones

INDIANAPOLIS -- Saturday's wintry storm could bring snow or freezing rain. But no matter what falls on central Indiana, emergency room doctors are bracing for a storm of a different kind.

"If we have an ice storm or significant amount of sleet, emergency departments around this city are going to be filled with people with broken bones," said Dr. Louis Profeta, of St. Vincent Hospital.

Profecta told Staying Healthy reporter Stacia Matthews that most of the patients treated for fractures and falls on ice are the elderly. And the majority of these accidents are close to patients’ homes.

"Many falls happen simply when people are out walking to get their mail in the morning or going for the newspaper,” said Dr. Jim Niven, of St. Vincent Hospital.

Stephanie McDermott landed in the hospital two years ago after a fall. During an interview with 6News that winter, McDermott recalled she was no match for ice on her driveway.

"I looked down and I couldn't move my leg. My ankle was twisted 45 degrees. My foot was hanging off and I had a large bulge in my shin,” McDermott said.

McDermott lived to tell about her accident, but some patients don’t.

"Everybody nowadays is on Plavix and aspirin and blood thinners. A simple fall or the bump of the head sometimes can have catastrophic events and consequences,” Niven said.

That's why Niven and Profecta teamed up to create the “Emergency Room Advice, Safety and Education Project,” or ERase.

The emergency room physicians partnered with the city of Indianapolis, Brightpoint and Starbucks Coffee to bag salt to limit and prevent the number of emergency room visits related to falls on ice during the winter season.

"If we can prevent one, then we've done our job," Profecta said.

Volunteers will stuff rock salt into about 5,000 bags Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. in the St. Vincent ambulance bay.

The bags will be offered free to the public. Doctors encourage people to pick up several bags -- one to sprinkle on steps, walkways and driveways; one to keep in a vehicle in the event of an emergency; and one to give to an elderly neighbor.

ERase is celebrating its 10th anniversary. To date, the group has distributed more than 100,000 tons of rock salt.

Source: http://www.theindychannel.com/health/14858274/detail.html

Comeback hopes pinned on Gold Medallist

As soon as I knew the extent of my foot injury, knew that three metatarsal bones were broken, I targeted this Cheltenham meeting for my comeback. Among those who considered me optimistic at best, completely mad at worst, was a bone specialist, who told me it could take eight weeks to heal, rather than my projected two.

He, though, was looking for a complete mend, of the type a footballer with a similar injury might need. As a jockey, I had to weigh up when I could do my job properly without putting anyone else at risk. By the middle of this week, I could walk, ride out and even school horses without pain and I met my target yesterday, albeit without the winner I longed for.

This is a bad time of year for a jockey to be absent - just ask Ruby Walsh, who has seen his deputy, Sam Thomas, win big races on three successive weekends. At least I haven't had to suffer quite his level of mixed emotions. Indeed, Dream Alliance - the horse I would have partnered in the Hennessy Gold Cup - ran so well in second that I was excited to anticipate the Welsh National after Christmas.

Denman was a hugely impressive Hennessy winner and he has been dominating racing debate ever since - almost to the point where his brilliant stablemate, Kauto Star, is being overshadowed. This, to me, is a dangerous over-reaction.

If the Gold Cup was run next week, and I could ride either of the two, I would definitely still choose Kauto Star. Denman may turn out just as good, especially now that the quirks of his hurdling days seem in the past, but he still has to prove it.

Kauto has been amazing for more than a year and he remains the horse everyone has to beat.

By contrast with all the hype over the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle has provoked little excitement so far. The death of Detroit City at Ascot last month was a big blow to me and his connections and it is hard to see the Irish stranglehold on the race being broken from what we have seen so far this season.

That could change today, in the race we used to know as the Bula. Cheltenham may bring Katchit back to his best, after his defeat at Newcastle, but Straw Bear remains a horse I like, for all his inconsistencies, and he could yet shake up the market.

I'll be a spectator for that race but I'm keen on my chances in the other feature, the Boylesports.com Gold Cup. Palarshan has fragile legs and he's a hard horse to keep sound but he has a lot of ability, as he showed last month in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

He would have been at least second that day if he hadn't been badly hampered at the penultimate fence. Henry Daly is happy he's come out of it well and that running advertises his chances in what does not look quite such a hot contest.

The most exciting ride I have today, though, should be Gold Medallist in the novice chase. He's been given two years to get over a leg problem and there are things you have to take on trust after such an absence. But he was so good beforehand, and he has schooled so well, that I'm hopeful he could go right to the top over fences.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/racing/article3053386.ece

Austin breaks bone in right foot, will miss season

Missouri State guard Lamont Austin, a Highland Park product, will miss the remainder of the season with a broken bone in his right foot, coach Barry Hinson said Monday.

Austin landed on a teammate's foot during practice Sunday, Hinson said. X-rays confirmed the broken bone. Hinson the school would seek a medical redshirt on Austin's behalf.

Austin has played in two games for a total of 14 minutes without scoring. Hinson said plans were to increase Austin's playing time in five games prior to the start of Missouri Valley Conference play Dec. 30 at Southern Illinois.

Source: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/121207/pre_224827111.shtml

Baggies without Kiely for three weeks

West Bromwich Albion will be without former Ireland goalkeeper Dean Kiely for up to three weeks after the veteran netminder fractured his toe.

Kiely has been ever-present for the Baggies this season but sat out Saturday’s win at Leicester City having been diagnosed with the injury.

The 37-year-old could miss as many as six games during the busy Christmas period.

He said: “I injured my little toe and the x-rays have revealed that it is broken. So I now have to just let it heal for a week and allow the bone to fuse back together, which will be frustrating.

“If it hadn’t been broken I could have just played through it, got on with things and stayed in the team, but because it is broken I’ve got no choice but to sit out and wait for it to heal.

“It’s going to be tough because I’ve been lucky throughout my career that most weeks I have been playing first team football for one club or another. But in these circumstances I don’t really have any choice.”

Source: http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=30317

Broken bones set right by herbal medicine

What could be more miraculous for those with fractures who can be cured without painful surgery through Ayurveda? Sounds interesting!

A bone-healing centre in Tamil Nadu state is gaining popularity among orthopaedic patients who believe that traditional therapy has miraculous healing powers.

A family runs the clinic located at Puttur, 100 km away from Chennai, for over 125 years, where the traditional doctors heal the patient.

Having satisfied with the therapy Hameed, one of the patients said, "I met with an accident two years ago and fractured my thigh. I immediately came for this treatment. I got treatment for six weeks and now I am cured and alright."

This miraculous treatment has made the family a household name and patients not only from the State but also from the neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnatka and Kerala regularly visit the clinic.

Gopala Raju who discovered a medicinal plant by chance set up the clinic in 1881. He experimented the medicine on a rabbit whose back was broken and after that started treating patients from nearby villages, which include mostly labourers from construction sites and poor children.

Subramaniyaraj, a doctor at the clinic said, "We are running the clinic for past 125 years, and I belong to the fifth generation. Our treatment is for 45 days and we apply herbs and eggs as medicines. After three bandages, the patient is cured."

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2ed10d82-81aa-4ff6-a0a7-28756e0f846d&ParentID=609e7b1b-8513-42ef-aab2-ad5946a78f77&MatchID1=4604&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=7&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1157&MatchID2=4575&TeamID3=8&TeamID4=2&MatchType2=1&SeriesID2=1147&PrimaryID=4604&Headline=Broken+bones+set+right+by+herbal+medicine

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Depression Raises Osteoporosis Risk For Premenopausal Women

A woman who suffers from depression is more likely to reach the menopause with a higher risk of bone fractures (osteoporosis), compared to a woman who does not have depression. In a study published inArchives of Internal Medicine it was found that 17% of women with depression had less bone mass in a section of their hip, called the femoral neck, compared to 2% of women who did not have depression.

Low bone mass in the lumbar spine was found in 20% of depressed women, compared to 9% of non-depressed women. An X-ray technique called DXA scanning was used to measure bone mass.

The researchers, from the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) explained that women with depression have immune systems which are overactive. Their bodies overproduce a chemical that leads to bone loss - this chemical, known as IL-6, also promotes inflammation.

The study involved 133 women, 89 depressed and 44 non-depressed. They were aged 21-45. All the women had the same risk factors, with the exception of depression. They had similar intakes of calcium, caffeine, alcohol - their use of tobacco was also similar, as were their levels of physical fitness, use of oral contraceptives, and their age of first menstrual period.

The scientists found that the hip bones of depressed women were especially susceptible to thinning - these bones fracture more frequently among older people with osteoporosis. The lower bone mass puts the patient at higher risk of costly, and sometimes fatal fractures.

NIMH Deputy Director Richard Nakamura, PhD, said "Osteoporosis is a silent disease. Too often, the first symptom a clinician sees is when a patient shows up with a broken bone. Now we know that depression can serve as a red flag - that depressed women are more likely than other women to approach menopause already at higher risk of fractures."

During our youth bone mass reaches its peak - after that it continues slowly thinning for the rest of our lives, thinning at a faster rate after a woman's menopause, the researchers explained. The authors stressed that the factor linking premenopausal osteoporosis risk in their study was definitely depression.

There was no association between the severity of depression and the amount of bone mass loss.

The immune-system imbalance experienced by some depressed women may be linked to excessive adrenalin, the researchers say. It is well know that depressed people produce more adrenalin - adrenalin can over-stimulate the immune system.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/91132.php

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Wild's Koivu misses start of road trip with broken bone in leg

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota center Mikko Koivu stayed behind as the Wild left for a five-game road trip to continue rehabilitating a broken bone in his left leg.

Koivu was injured on Nov. 17 when Vancouver defenseman Mattias Ohlund hit him in the leg with a two-handed swing of his stick that earned Ohlund a suspension.

Koivu has resumed skating, but the team said Thursday that he was not yet ready for full practice and will stay home for the first two games of the trip.

The Wild play at Detroit on Friday and at Columbus on Saturday before heading West for a three-game California swing that starts in San Jose on Tuesday. Koivu is expected to join the team in San Jose.

Team doctors initially said Koivu would miss only about a week, but in a statement released by Thursday, the Wild said the prolonged absence can be explained because "bodies heal on their own schedule and there is nothing we can do to hurry it up."

Doctors say the bone is now showing strong callousing and Koivu is beginning to put more pressure on it.

Defenseman Nick Schultz, who spent Wednesday night in a hospital after injuring his throat in the Wild's game against Philadelphia, only has a bruise and is probable for the game against the Red Wings.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3144769

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Broken bone costs Young tilt at Celtic welterweight title

GARY YOUNG, the Edinburgh welterweight, has been left counting the cost of an injury in the gym which has denied him the chance to challenge Barrie Jones for the vacant Celtic title.

Young had been scheduled to appear on the undercard of Alex Arthur's WBO interim super-featherweight title defence against Steve Foster at Meadowbank on Saturday week but, instead, he faces weeks of recovery from a broken bone in his right hand, the second such injury he has suffered in the past four months.

Young said: "I feel like the guy who is made redundant in the run-up to Christmas. It's a bitter pill to swallow at the end of 12 hard weeks training just when I had stepped up a gear.

"The injury is the same as the one I had in September when I fractured a bone in the first round against David Kirk and fought on to win on points. I had my hand in a splint for a fortnight followed by a further three weeks in plaster and it will be the same this time."

Source: http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.1884654.0.0.php

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Broken hand puts Henson out of action for up to six weeks

Gavin Henson has broken a bone in his left hand, and will not play rugby for between four and six weeks. He suffered the injury during the Ospreys' victory over Harlequins in the EDF Energy Cup last weekend. Henson fractured his fourth metacarpal and has been fitted with a cast. While he will be able to continue training, he will not be considered for selection until the injury has healed naturally.

Henson suffered the injury in the 64th minute of the match, when he drove into a ruck. "It appears that an opposition boot accidentally came into contact with his hand and Gavin can clearly be seen holding his left hand as he gets back to his feet," confirmed an Ospreys statement.

"Gavin was able to complete the game, albeit in some pain, and he was checked out immediately after the final whistle by our medical team who diagnosed a suspected fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. We then secured the earliest available appointment at the Vale Clinic for him to undergo an x-ray on Monday, where our initial fears were confirmed.

"Understandably, Gavin was keen not to rule himself out and wanted to have as much time as possible to prove his fitness ahead of the weekend, but having received the opinion of a second specialist, he has accepted that he has to allow the bone healing to occur naturally. He has now had his left hand set in a lightweight cast and, whilst he will be able to continue with his fitness training, it is expected that he will be unavailable for selection for a period of four to six weeks whilst the bone heals."

Ospreys' director of rugby, Kevin Hopkins, remarked: "Both Gavin and our medical staff have worked hard in an effort to get him on the pitch against Ulster this coming Friday, but in the end we have decided that Gavin's long term well being is best served by him getting the hand properly sorted over the next few weeks. This disappointment has however been softened by the timely return of James Hook, Ian Gough and Filo Tiatia to the squad for the important double header with Ulster."

Full article: http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyunion/story/0,,2223168,00.html

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Breaking News: Fulmer: Karl's bone broken

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee senior linebacker Ryan Karl appears to have a broken bone in his elbow, according to UT coach Phillip Fulmer.

Karl was injured in the second half Saturday in the Vols' 21-14 SEC Championship loss to LSU.

"Ryan they think, and we'll know more tomorrow with an MRI and C.A.T. scan, seems to have a chip off his elbow with some injury as well," Fulmer said. "We won't know for sure until tomorrow."

Another Vol also appears to have suffered a broken bone in the contest. Nevin McKenzie, a safety/linebacker, is believed to have a fracture in his ankle.

"Nevin has a fracture, small fracture, and again a C.A.T . scan will confirm what we're dealing with," Fulmer said.

Source: http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20071202/SPORTS/71202026

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Giants' Ward suffers broken bone in leg

Running back rushed for career-high 154 yards in victory over Bears

NEW YORK - Derrick Ward's career day evidently ended in devastating disappointment.

Ward suffered a fractured left fibula in the New York Giants' 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears, according to a report early Monday morning on the New York Daily News' web site.

According to a report, Ward will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22082377/

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Human stem cells mend broken skull

BROKEN skulls can be repaired using cells from human embryos, scientists have shown.

Researchers were able to plug holes in the skulls of mice by transplanting the stem cells, which grew into new bone tissue.

Although at an early stage, the experiment indicated one way that human embryonic stem cells, or cells like them, might be used in practical treatments.

These stem cells are immature mother cells found in early embryos which are said to be "pluripotent" - having the potential to develop into any part of the body, barring eggs and sperm.

Scientists believe they could prove invaluable for research and may also be used to treat a range of diseases.

Replacement tissue could be grown to repair brains damaged by Parkinson's disease, patch up the pancreas to halt type 1 diabetes, or fix ailing hearts.

But destroying human embryos to extract stem cells is ethically unacceptable to many people. Recently scientists in the US and Japan succeeded in transforming ordinary skin cells into cells with the same characteristics. Ultimately it may be possible to use them for similar treatments. The latest research, at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, showed it was possible using these stem cells to repair "critical-size" skull defects which would not normally heal on their own.

Scientists grew the stem cells in the laboratory, and from them derived mesenchymal precursor cells, a more developed cell type capable of giving rise to fat, cartilage, bone and muscle. These were then "seeded" into tiny three-dimensional "scaffolds" and grafted into the mouse skulls.

The scaffolds were made of a biodegradable plastic-like material and a gritty mineral called hydroxyapatite. It was hydroxapatite that directed the cells towards becoming the "intramembraneous" tissue that makes up the skull, jaw and collar bone.

When the mineral was absent, they transformed into cartilage. Under normal conditions, cartilage becomes the "endochondral" tissue found in the "long" bones of the limbs and rib cage.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/human-stem-cells-mend-broken-skull/2007/12/02/1196530481909.html

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Last ride for Evel Knievel, man of steel and scars

EVEL Knievel, the hard-living, death-defying adventurer who went from stealing motorcycles to riding them in a series of spectacular airborne stunts in the 1960s and '70s, has died. He was 69.

Knievel had been in failing health for years with diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition. In 1999 he underwent a liver transplant after nearly dying of hepatitis C, which he believed he had contracted through a blood transfusion after one of many violent spills.

Only days before his death, he and rap artist Kanye West settled a lawsuit over West's use of Knievel's trademarked image in a music video.

Knievel amazed and horrified onlookers in 1968 by vaulting his motorcycle 45 metres over the fountains of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, only to land in a bone-breaking crash.

He continued to win fame and fortune by getting huge audiences to watch him roar his motorcycle up a ramp, fly over 10, 15 or 20 cars parked side by side and come down on another ramp. Perhaps his most spectacular stunt, another disaster, was an attempt to jump an Idaho canyon on a rocket-powered motorcycle in 1974.

Knievel's showmanship, skill and disdain for death were so admired that he became a folk hero.

Performing stunts hundreds of times, Knievel repeatedly shattered bones as well as his bikes. When he was forced to retire in 1980, he told reporters that he was "nothing but scar tissue and surgical steel".

He underwent as many as 15 major operations to relieve severe trauma and repair broken bones — skull, pelvis, ribs, collarbone, shoulders and hips. "I created the character called Evel Knievel, and he sort of got away from me," he said.

His health was also compromised by years of heavy drinking; he said at one point he was consuming half a bottle of whiskey a day, washed down with beer chasers.

Robert Craig Knievel was born in the copper-mining town of Butte, Montana, and raised by grandparents.

As he told the story, he acquired the name Evel as a boy. Arrested for stealing hubcaps, he was taken to jail, where the police were holding a man named Knofel, whom they called "Awful Knofel".

They decided to call Robert "Evil Knievel". The name stuck, and some years later, Knievel legally took the name Evel, changing the "i" to "e" because he thought it looked better.

A star athlete at school, he volunteered to be an army paratrooper in the 1950s and made 30 jumps. Afterwards he played hockey with the Charlotte Clippers. Then he took up motorcycle racing until falling and breaking bones in a 1962 race.

Full article: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/last-ride-for-man-of-steel-and-scars/2007/12/01/1196394688218.html

Scheer broke leg playing volleyball

Her soccer-playing days are over, but that doesn't mean Elena Scheer can't participate in other sports.

Scheer, a junior at Pescadero High School, tried out for the volleyball team this year. Playing in just her third year of volleyball, she worked her way toward being in the first rotation.

She was out there, playing hard and having fun. Then it happened again.

Going up for the ball, she twisted her body, preventing her from hitting the net. She landed awkwardly on her foot.

"At first, I thought everyone was mad at me because I gave the other team a point," Scheer said. "But then, I saw how swollen up my foot had gotten. I thought, not again."

She broke a bone in her leg, and had to miss the rest of the volleyball season.

"It was obvious that she had a broken bone," said volleyball coach Wayne Johnson. "Her leg swelled up almost instantly."

She now once again has to wait for the doctors to clear her to play non-contact sports. A freak soccer accident has barred her from playing any contact sports.

During the summer, when she wasn't catching up on schoolwork, she was either running or swimming. She couldn't wait to get cleared for volleyball.

"I love being on the court or on the field," Scheer said. "I was so excited to be on the court."

She doesn't feel cursed despite the injuries.

"Stuff happens," Scheer said.

Source: http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2007/11/30/community/sports/story02.txt

Any old broken bone could mean osteoporosis

No matter the circumstances, if you're 65 or older and break a bone, your risk of having osteoporosis and suffering more fractures is greater than that of someone who has yet to break a bone after his 65th birthday, scientists report today.

Their finding contradicts the widely held belief that only bones broken in a fall from a standing height or lower are related to the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. Bones broken in falls from greater heights or in car crashes, so-called high-trauma fractures, don't count as red flags for osteoporosis, although there is little scientific evidence to support that view.

One of the main problems is that the concept of high trauma is fuzzy, says lead author Dawn Mackey. The magnitude, velocity and direction of the force applied to bone can vary from car crash to car crash and fall to fall, so the impact on bone of low-speed collisions isn't necessarily greater than the impact on bone of slipping on ice and hitting the pavement, Mackey's team writes. Yet the former is generally considered high trauma, while the latter is not.

The researchers analyzed data from two studies. One followed 8,022 women for about nine years; the other followed 5,995 men for about five years. All were at least 65 at the start.

Overall, 264 women's and 94 men's first broken bones were considered to be high-trauma fractures, while 3,211 women's and 346 men's first broken bones were low-trauma ones.

Whether their first fractures were high or low trauma, women who'd broken a bone were about a third more likely to sustain another fracture during the course of the study than women who did not have an initial fracture. In addition, the scientists write in the Journal of the American Medical Association, women who sustained either high-trauma or low-trauma fractures were equally likely to have low bone-mineral density, considered the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis.

Although there were too few fractures among the men to quantify the risk of another fracture, the authors observed similar trends.

But the presumption, Mackey says, has been that anyone, weak bones or not, could suffer a fracture in a car crash or a fall from a ladder. When you break a bone in that kind of an accident, you've earned it, or so many doctors believe, says Mackey, an epidemiologist at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute in San Francisco.

As a result, she says, older people who have a high-trauma fracture don't receive the same sort of workup for osteoporosis that, say, peers who slip on the ice and break a hip do. Doctors don't think osteoporosis drugs can prevent high-trauma fractures. And clinical trials of drugs designed to treat osteoporosis may be overlooking valuable information by ignoring such fractures.

"Fractures previously defined as due to high trauma, such as those from a blunt injury in a motor vehicle crash or a fall from a chair, can no longer be dismissed as being unrelated to osteoporosis," Mayo Clinic osteoporosis researcher Sundeep Khosla writes in an accompanying editorial.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-27-osteoporosis_N.htm?csp=34

Study: Lack Of Sunlight, Milk, Exercise Causing Bone Deficiency In Children

Rickets is making a comeback, but bone specialists are more concerned that the recent rise in diagnosis of the disease (virtually wiped out until the 1990s) is a red flag indicating another, more serious issue — that possibly millions of seemingly healthy children aren’t building as much strong bone as they should, which may leave them more vulnerable to osteoporosis in the future than their grandparents are now.

Experts say that an overall lack of milk, sunshine and exercise is becoming an anti-bone trifecta. As a result, scientists are taking the first steps to ascertain how much of a problem is caused by kids not getting enough of the bone-building trio, based on new research that shows what “normal” bone density is for children of different ages.

Dr. Heidi Kalkwarf of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital led a national study that gave bone scans to 1,500 healthy children ages 6 to 17 to see how bone mass is accumulated. This resulted in the first bone-growth guide for children — similar to height-and-weight charts — being published last summer, designed specifically for pediatricians treating children at high risk of bone problems.

The government-funded study will continue to track those 1,500 children for seven more years to see how their bones turn out. Ultimately, the study seeks to find exactly what bone-growth level is cause for concern.

“I don't know if we're raising a population that's going to be at risk for osteoporosis,” Kalkwarf says. “It's really hard to know what the cutoff is; how low is too low?”

Since almost half of peak bone mass develops during adolescence, the concern is that missing out on the strongest possible bones in childhood could haunt people decades later. By the 30s, bone is broken down faster than it's rebuilt. Then it's a race to maintain bone and avoid the thin bones of osteoporosis in old age.

“There's some early data showing that even a 10-percent deficit in your bone mass when you finish your adolescent years can increase your potential risk of having osteoporosis and fractures by as much as 50 percent,” says James Beaty, Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Already there's evidence that children in the United States break their arms more often today than four decades ago — girls suffer breaks 56 percent more often, while boys suffer breaks 32 percent more often, according to a Mayo Clinic study. Some say this is due to newer forms of risky play — like inline skates — but Kalkwarf's hospital recently found that kids who break an arm have lower bone density than their playmates who don't.

Doctors have long known that less than a quarter of adolescents get enough calcium, but strong bones require more than calcium alone. Exercise is at least as important. (Consider this: The dominant arm of a tennis player has 35-percent more bone than the non-dominant arm.)

Likewise, the body can't absorb calcium and harden bones without vitamin D, which is absorbed by the body following exposure to sunlight. But by some estimates, 30 percent of teens get too little of the “sunshine vitamin”. This is suspected to be the result of increased teen computer use, a lack of safe places to play outdoors and less school physical education keeping kids and adolescents inside and away from the sun. In addition, because skin pigment alters a person’s rate of sun absorption, black children are particularly at risk.

Rickets marks the worst deficiency, where bones become so soft that legs literally bow. Rickets was once thought to have been eradicated with milk fortification, but the comeback of the disease suggests that there is more to solving the problem.

“I am now treating rickets in a way that I never treated it 20 years ago,” says Laura Tosi, Ph.D., bone health chief at Children's National Medical Center in Washington.

She diagnoses rickets or super-low D levels in children every month at a bone clinic she runs for mostly inner-city children. Fortunately, rickets caught early is easily cured with high-dose infusions of vitamin D and calcium. However, Tosi says it’s the kids whose vitamin D levels haven’t gotten quite low enough to produce symptoms of deficiency that she worries about, because they may never get treated.

Source: http://www.lookingfit.com/hotnews/7bh279755.html

World Supersport: Tommy Hill suffers broken leg and hip in testing crash

Tommy Hill is in hospital in Spain after crashing his Hannspree Altea Honda at his first test in Calafat.

Hill was flicked off the CBR600RR after a problem with the electronic quick shifter caused the engine to cut out whilst he was mid corner.

The heavy crash left the 22-year-old Brit with a fractured right hip, fractured left tibia and broken bones in his hand.

Tommy Hill will have his hip operated on at Tarragona hospital tomorrow, before finding out when he will be able to make the trip back to the UK.

Hill signed for the Italian Altea team just two weeks ago and was due to complete his first test in Calafat before heading to Jerez in December. The crash is a devastating blow to his 2008 hopes and he now faces a tough battle to get back to full fitness in time for the start off the season in Qatar at the end of February.

Speaking exclusively to MCN from his hospital bed, Hill said: “I wasn’t even planning on riding on Sunday but the team asked me about doing a few laps just to make sure that the bike was alright.

“I’d never been to the circuit before so I went out for a little ride around. In the first two laps I had a problem with the quick shifter so I came in and we made an adjustment but the problem was still there and it was still cutting out mid corner.

“I came in again and they changed the shifter, but the problem was still there so we turned it off and I went back to a manual shift, which was fine.

“A bit later they tried something with the electronics and put the quick shifter back on but as I came through the double apex right up the hill you’re leaning off the side of the bike and the power cut and launched me off.

“It wasn’t such a problem but after I landed I felt my leg twist around and around, like Leon Camier’s crash at Cadwell, but it was more my hip.

“The hospital here looks very good and I’m having an operation on my hip tomorrow (Tuesday). The problem I’ve got is that I need to try and be walking on my hip as soon as possible but I can’t because my left leg is fractured.

“My right leg is swelling up a lot now and it’s gone rock hard and I’ve been in a lot of pain. Now I just want to get this operation done and then get back to the UK.”

Source: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/november/nov26-30/nov2607worldsupersporttommyhillsuffersbrokenlegandhip/

Smashed foot at Gabba sidelines White

VICTORIAN skipper Cameron White last night suffered a broken foot as the Bushrangers succumbed to Queensland's "bionic man" Lee Carseldine in the Ford Ranger Cup final rematch.
White's fracture, which will sideline him for at least a month in a major blow to his international hopes this season, rubbed salt into Victoria's wounds after a 50-run, bonus-point loss at the Gabba.

The big-hitting all-rounder will have an operation on Monday to have his right foot pinned after a fracture in his fifth metatarsal bone.

White hobbled off the field grimacing in pain after sustaining the injury while swivelling to avoid a mid-pitch collision with paceman Carseldine.

Carseldine, who enjoyed a fairytale comeback in his first interstate game in almost four years, charged into White as he took a quick single with Victoria 5-107 in the 29th over.

With their captain at the crease with Adam Crosthwaite (43), the Vics were still a realistic chance of chasing down the Bulls' total of 243.

However the Victorian tail could not keep up with the run-rate and the visitors were all out for 193 after 45.4 overs.

Carseldine, who had a titanium disc inserted into his spine after a chronic back injury, had already delivered a match-turning blow in his first over.

The 32-year-old all-rounder (2-15) was on a hat-trick after having danger man Brad Hodge (50) caught in the deep and Andrew McDonald edging behind next ball.

Full article: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22812663-11088,00.html

Wells has broken bone in hand

CLEVELAND -- He's had bone spurs, a high ankle sprain and a bruised thumb.

Now you can add a broken bone to Beanie Wells' growing injury list.

Wells appeared at the Ohio State Alumni Association banquet last night in Cleveland wearing a brace on his left hand. Turns out, he's played much of this year with a broken bone in the hand. Only, he just found out about it on Monday.

''I'm not sure when I broke it,'' he said. ''It's been bothering me for awhile. They just finally x-rayed it (Monday).''

The broken bone near his thumb didn't slow him Saturday against Michigan, when Wells carried 39 times for 222 yards, both career highs, to go with his two touchdowns. Wells never even carried the ball that much in one game in high school.

''I went to sleep as soon as I got home; I was so tired,'' the running back said. ''I didn't want to go out and celebrate or anything. I just wanted to get to bed.''

Wells said he wasn't sure how long his hand would be in the brace, but that he certainly would be ready for the bowl game -- whether it's the Rose Bowl or the national title game.

In other news, left tackle Alex Boone filed paperwork yesterday with the NFL to gauge his draft status, although at this point, Boone is committed on returning for his senior year.

''As of right now, I'll be back,'' Boone said. ''I just wanted to see where I fall ... but I should be returning.''

Boone could be one of a slew of underclassmen preparing for their final game as Buckeyes. Malcolm Jenkins, Vernon Gholston and James Laurinaitis would all be first-day picks, and all three could go in the first round. Brian Robiskie might also consider leaving, since his father coaches in the NFL and could probably tell him better than anyone whether he's ready.

For now, the players are enjoying a week off and celebrating Thanksgiving with their families before returning to work in preparation for the bowl game. That includes Jim Tressel, who had a chance last night to reflect on his tenure after Lloyd Carr's retirement this week.

Tressel has never given any indication of how long he'll remain at Ohio State, but it's interesting to think that now wrapping up his seventh year, he's more than halfway to the 13 years Carr spent in Ann Arbor.

''I only want to do it as long as I'm the best guy for the job,'' Tressel said. ''I'm hoping it's awhile.''

Tressel called Carr's time at Michigan like being in a ''pressure cooker,'' similar to the one he sits in every day. But it's not the wins and losses which cause the anxiety, it's the time.

''There's not enough hours in the day that you'd like to do for the good of the program,'' Tressel said.

''It's the time demand of doing everything you'd like to do so that you do the best you can here. A byproduct of that is you don't have time to do much else (personally).''

Tressel, though, doesn't have any hobbies he's anxious to start. He doesn't feel retirement calling anytime soon.

''I think a lot of coaches, when they stop coaching, find out that they miss the coaching,'' he said. ''I haven't seen too many of them just get a fishing pole and go sit around ... At this moment in my life, I'm not dying to go fishing.''

Source: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19044530&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46370&rfi=6

Bomber wrestler out with broken leg

MIDWEST CITY — Midwest City wrestler Richard Immel is out for the season after the senior suffered a broken femur Saturday during the Midwest City Open.

The injury occurred when an opponent tried to hook Immel's leg, a common wrestling move. The weight of Immel and his opponent's body was absorbed by Immel's femur as the pair fell to the mat. The impact created enough pressure to break the bone.

"I could tell something bad was about to happen, and I turned my head and heard a loud pop,” Midwest City coach Jody Marple said. "It happened so quickly there was nothing anyone could have done to stop it.”

Marple said the graphic nature of Immel's injury stunned those in attendance.

"The whole place got quiet,” he said. "It shot chills down my spine. I've never heard of anyone breaking their femur in wrestling.”

Marple said Immel, a 4.0 student, had a rod inserted in his thigh to stabilize the bone and will be on crutches for at least 10 weeks. Marple said Immel is fortunate in one respect. The broken bone didn't sever his femoral artery, a common risk with serious trauma to the femur.

Immel had been thought of as a potential starter in the Bombers' lineup at 140 pounds. He had wrestled well over the summer.

"This was the year we felt like he could step it up and get into the lineup,” Marple said. "This is something we can use as motivation throughout the year. We have to appreciate the opportunities we have to compete because you never know when they're going to be gone.”

Source: http://newsok.com/article/3171251/1195560935

Osteoporosis a silent killer

It's a killer, but you won't see osteoporosis listed as the cause of death in an obituary.

But it's definitely deadly. Dr. Diane Theriault, a Nova Scotia rheumatologist and national spokesperson for Osteoporosis Canada, will attest to that.

More women die from complications of osteoporosis than from breast cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer combined, she pointed out in a telephone interview from the Maritimes. And more men die from complications of osteoporosis than from prostate cancer.

"It's often assumed that if you have a broken bone, it's no big deal. It's not like cancer or heart attacks. You just put a cast on it and off you go.

"The fact is, it's not that simple at all," emphasized Theriault, a tireless advocate for improved access to bone mineral density (BMD) testing,

"It doesn't kill people the day of the (bone) fracture," she pointed out. But "it's a huge risk."

For example, 20-per-cent of women and 34 per cent of men will die within a year of breaking their hip from osteoporosis.

To put that into perspective, Theriault pointed out that after open-heart surgery or a coronary bypass, the expected mortality is one per cent, compared with the 20 per cent or 34-per-cent risk of mortality in one year after breaking a hip.

But osteoporosis doesn't have the public awareness that other diseases have, Theriault said frankly.

November is Osteoporosis Month. To raise awareness of the disease, which affects more than 1.4 million Canadians, bone china tea fundraisers are being held across the country. Theriault is in Regina this weekend speaking at the Regina Chapter of Osteoporosis Canada's bone china tea, which takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday on the main stage at the Conexus Arts Centre.

Misconceptions abound when it comes to osteoporosis.

"Have you got five hours?" Theriault responded when the subject was broached.

The biggest misconception, she said, is that osteoporosis is a disease of old age. It's not. It can strike at any age.

"It's no more a disease of old age than heart disease or diabetes. But it is a bit more common in the older people," she explained.

And it's not just a women's disease.

While it is common in women -- one in three will end up with a fracture due to osteoporosis -- it's not that rare in men either, Theriault pointed out. One in five men will suffer a fracture from osteoporosis during their lifetime.

"It's not a disease of little old women," she emphasized. "That's probably the biggest misconception."

Another misconception has to do with the prevention specifically who to treat, and when to treat them. The trick is to start treatment for those at risk early enough to prevent the first fracture, but not unnecessarily early.

"Because our medications are very effective, and they work within about 12 months of starting treatment, and they do reduce the risk of fractures very significantly, then our job is to try to pick up individuals who are at risk of fractures. And we don't want to pick them out 70 years before that fracture, because then we'd be subjecting them to 70 years of treatment before the fracture comes," Theriault said.

Source: http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=d7fa5abd-40e6-4563-9b35-336998171256&k=48372

Break a bone ... not

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that can usually be prevented.

OSTEOPOROSIS is a disease people often do not know they have until they break a bone.

Bone thinning due to osteoporosis affects millions of people around the world. While 80% of those affected are women, men are also at risk, and the disease can strike at any age.

Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones” and it is a condition characterised by calcium-depleted bones that become fragile and weak.

Between 2-4% of a person’s skeleton is remodelled every year. This means that calcium and other minerals (magnesium, zinc, copper, boron, manganese) leave the bone in a process called resorption and then must be “remodelled” or replaced.

If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalisation and major surgery. It can impair a person’s ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death.

Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, deformity and so on.

Whether due to poor nutrition or reduced hormone levels with the onset of ageing, the loss of calcium and other minerals from the bone creates tiny holes that make bones weak and brittle, particularly if collagen is lost. This is how osteoporosis develops.

Building and maintaining bone mass is paramount to avoiding osteoporosis. By about age 20, the average woman has acquired 98% of her skeletal mass.

Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defence against developing osteoporosis later.

There are five steps, which together, can optimise bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. They are:

Diet: Eating foods rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, boron and copper such as milk, broccoli, fish and dark green vegetables.

Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises: Bones, like muscles, grow stronger when regularly stressed.

A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake.

If you are not meeting the required intake of calcium and other minerals through diet, you should consider taking supplements.

The importance of calcium supplementation has long been recognised in bone health. However, as important as calcium is to bone health, it is found that in the US, only 25% of women with osteoporosis are calcium deficient.

New evidence clearly shows that vitamin D, magnesium, copper, zinc, boron and manganese are also vital for maintaining strong and healthy bone.

These nutrients should all be consumed together for optimal bone metabolism. Even the absence of one nutrient can result in weak bones and osteoporosis.

Calcium plays an important role in maintaining bone. Calcium alone cannot prevent or cure osteoporosis, but it is an important part of an overall prevention or treatment program. The US RDA (recommended daily allowances) for calcium is as follows:

Adults and teenagers – 800 to 1200mg per day.

Pregnant and breast-feeding females – 1200mg per day.

Children four to 10 years of age – 800mg per day.

Children from birth to 3 years of age – 400 to 800mg per day.

Vitamin D helps body absorb calcium. Low levels of vitamin D are common in women, especially the elderly. Deficiencies of vitamin D can lead to calcium deficiencies, leading to soft bones (osteomalacia). Experts recommend a daily intake of between 400 and 800 international units (IU).

Magnesium is essential for both the preservation and mobilisation of calcium in the bone and is required for the utilisation of vitamin D.

Magnesium deficiency is common and is a leading risk factor for osteoporosis. The US RDA for magnesium is 400mg per day.

Manganese is a trace mineral required for the synthesis of connective tissue that form the matrix upon which mineral deposition occurs. The recommended daily intake for manganese is 2mg.

Boron is needed to convert vitamin D into its active form, which explains why boron deficiency affects calcium metabolism and bone formation.

Boron reduces calcium loss from bones. Although there is no official RDA for boron, a dosage of 1.5 to 3.0mg daily is safe and adequate (Murray, 1996).

Zinc supports bone formation by enhancing the action of vitamin D. Zinc helps maintain bone structure and is involved in bone development.

Copper deficiency may lead to abnormal bone deposition. Copper helps form the building blocks of bone.

When shopping for a calcium supplement, do ensure that it also contains the other essential nutrients mentioned above in adequate amounts to support strong and healthy bones.

Prevention of osteoporosis should begin at birth by meeting the human dietary requirements for calcium and other nutrients and should continue thereafter.

Reference:
1. National Osteoporosis Foundation (nof.org)
Source: http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2007/11/18/health/19486505&sec=health

Geisinger rheumatologists redesign osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis care

DANVILLE, PA. – With the nation collectively spending about $18 billion per year on osteoporosis related bone fractures, Geisinger researchers found that streamlining the ordering process for osteoporosis bone density scans quadrupled the number of patients who received the exam.

An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis. Like most providers, Geisinger Health System measures the mineral content in the bones of patients who are at high-risk for osteoporosis through DXA scans.

Follow-up exams are usually needed to assess how the disease has progressed. Geisinger’s rheumatology department removed some of the steps involved, shifted the responsibility of ordering the exam from the patient’s primary care provider to the rheumatology staff and made greater use of Geisinger’s $80 million Electronic Health Record.

Before the change, 18% of patients received the test. After the test, 88% received the scan.

“A broken bone from osteoporosis can be excruciating and hard to recover from,” said Eric Newman, MD, Geisinger’s Rheumatology Director. “Testing for osteoporosis is the first step in preventing these breaks.”

Results of the study were presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting in Boston recently. Geisinger had four presentations at the meeting, the most ever for the department.

The other work included:

Plenary Presentation - The first in-depth study of new care recommendations that were issued by the American College of Rheumatology. Geisinger examined the records of over 1,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to see how many patients received certain suggested care benchmarks such as joint exams and use of medication.

Among the study’s key findings was that 94% of the patients received disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, which ease pain, reduce inflammation and reduce or prevent joint damage. This was far higher than anticipated, Newman noted.

While more than 3,000 study abstracts were submitted for the meeting, this was one of just 14 studies that were accepted as plenary presentations.

The third study found that treatment decisions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are altered if doctors have all of a patient’s data immediately in front of them in several summarizing charts, as opposed to having the information scattered throughout many pages in the Electronic Health Record and in paper files.

The fourth study examined how fellowship training for rheumatologists has improved significantly by adding a specific osteoporosis training curriculum.

“It was an outstanding year for us,” Newman said. “These studies reflect our staff’s talent and commitment to delivering the best care to our patients.”

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The studies were conducted by rheumatology fellows Leena Adhikesavan MD and Mark Diehl DO, primary care physician Nancy Gilhooley MD, staff rheumatologists Thomas Olenginski, MD and Androniki Bili, MD, MPH, fellowship director Thomas Harrington MD and Newman.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/ghs-grr111607.php

Wheatley has broken bone in his foot

Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley is in danger of missing what could be the final game of his college career because of a fractured bone in his foot.

Wheatley suffered the injury two weeks ago against Missouri and missed last week's game at Iowa State, though he did travel with the team and stood on the sidelines wearing a protective boot.

"I'm feeling a lot better, I'm not wearing the boot any more," he said. "That's an upgrade I guess. I'm still in a little bit of pain when I run."

The Buffs have this week off, which should give the senior from Richardson, Texas, an opportunity to heal.

He said team physicians have told him the normal healing time for the injury is about two weeks. He said he is hoping to be feeling more like himself by the beginning of game week.

The Buffs are one win shy of bowl eligibility and facing what amounts to a playoff scenario when Nebraska comes to town Nov. 23. One last go-around with the Buffs' arch-rival combined with the fact that it will be the final home game of his career has Wheatley saying he will consider a cortisone shot prior to the contest if he is given the option.

"We'll wait and see, then at the last second, if we have to do whatever, then we'll do whatever," Wheatley said.

Full article: http://dailycamera.com/news/2007/nov/14/cu-football-wheatley-has-broken-bone-in-his-foot/

SJSU's Tafralis unfazed by broken thumb

Adam Tafralis will try to help revive the ailing San Jose State offense Saturday against New Mexico State despite a broken bone in his left thumb.

The senior quarterback hurt his non-throwing hand late in the first half of the Spartans' 42-7 loss at Boise State last weekend. Tafralis threw a touchdown pass to Kevin Jurovich, SJSU's only score in its past two games, later in that drive. Then he played the entire third quarter (completing 4 of 8 attempts for 30 yards) before being taken out with the Spartans trailing by 28 points.

"It's painful, but mostly it's annoying," said Tafralis, who completed 5 of 11 attempts for 34 yards after suffering the injury. "You don't realize how much you use your left thumb as a right-handed quarterback: catching the ball, turning it and getting it into your (right) hand to throw, and being able to grip it on the option (running plays).

"But I'll make it work."

Tafralis said he smashed his thumb on a Boise State player's helmet. The blow tore off half the thumbnail at the root and the distal phalanx, the bone above the top knuckle in the thumb. It "broke just like a carrot. It snapped right in half," Tafralis said.

After the game, the rest of the nail was removed to make sure the bone hadn't pierced Tafralis' flesh. The nail then was sewn back to protect the under-layer of skin on his thumb.

Tafralis didn't miss any time in practice this week.

"He's a tough dude," Jurovich said.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/collegesports/ci_7414433?nclick_check=1

Pedroia finished season with broken hand

Remember the leadoff home run Dustin Pedroia hit in Game 1 of the World Series? He hit it with a broken bone in his left hand.

According to a report by the Boston Herald, the second baseman admitted on Friday that he played the final two months of the season with a cracked hamate bone in his left hand.

He doesn't know when it occurred, but the injury was found during an MRI and bone scan on Sept. 10. He underwent surgery on Tuesday, is wearing a soft cast and can't use the hand until late November or early December.

"Some days I would wake up and it would be hard to grip a bat," Pedroia said. "I changed my grip a little bit on the bat and went from there. It was just one of those things you know you have to take care of after the season, but you have to play through. A lot of guys have done that. You definitely don't want to shut it down and have surgery during the whole thing. We just had to find a way to fight through it."

Source: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS/711110396