It hurts to break a bone! It's different for everyone, but the pain is often like the deep ache you get from a super bad stomachache or headache. Some people may experience sharper pain - especially with an open fracture. And if the fracture is small, a kid may not feel much pain at all. Sometimes, a kid won't even be able to tell that he or she broke a bone!
Breaking a bone is a big shock to your whole body. It's normal for you to receive strong messages from parts of your body that aren't anywhere close to the fracture. You may feel dizzy, woozy, or chilly from the shock. A lot of people cry for a while. Some people pass out until their bodies have time to adjust to all the signals they're getting. And other people don't feel any pain right away because of the shock of the injury.
If you think you or someone else has broken a bone, the most important things to do are to:
• stay calm
• make sure the person who is hurt is as comfortable as possible
• tell an adult
• if there are no adults around, call 911 or the emergency number in your area
The worst thing for a broken bone is to move it. This will hurt the person and it can make the injury worse! In the case of a broken arm or leg, a grown-up may be able to cushion or support the surrounding area with towels or pillows.
One super-important tip: If you're not sure what bone is broken or you think the neck or back is broken, do not try to move the injured person. Wait until a trained medical professional has arrived!
Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/broken_bones.html
Saturday, July 28, 2007
What Happens When You Break a Bone
Persistent Carrier Discovers Seriously Injured Man
Plainview Carrier Russell Huber must have a detective's sense for those in trouble - and not long ago, he proved it. Huber had been off on a recent Friday and Saturday, but when he returned to work on Monday, he noticed an elderly customer had not taken in his mail from either day. "He's an older gentleman, who usually waits for me at the door," said Huber.
Huber was concerned. "I banged on the door," he said. "I waited a couple of minutes. He didn't come... so I went and delivered one of the three relays I do from that park point."
When he got back he noticed the mail still in the box. He banged on the door and went around back, hollered and - reluctantly - set off to deliver another relay. When he returned, the mail was still in the box, so he went to a neighbor's house and called 911.
The police eventually broke into the house and found the man laying at the foot of a stairway in a pool of blood, incoherent, a gash in his head. However, no one knew how to contact his relatives, but Huber remembered that he had a sister in Florida, but couldn't recall her married name. It troubled him the man might not receive treatment without a next-of-kin to approve it.
But on his way home later, he recalled the man having a brother in Las Vegas. Despite being "computer-challenged," he found him in an on-line phone directory, called and left a message.
Family from Queens contacted him the next day, having heard from the brother in Las Vegas and thanked Huber, informing him that their brother had been stabilized. They told him he had sustained numerous injuries in his fall: a broken shoulder, collar bone, and several ribs. Huber, though, downplays his role, saying, "Basically, it was observation, nothing more to it than watching."
Yet, he explains his joy when the police opened the man's door and found him. "I'm glad he was alive. It was wonderful to see him breathing!"
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Facts About Broken Bones
Your bones are tough stuff - but even tough stuff can break. Like a wooden pencil, bones will bend under strain. But if the pressure is too much, or too sudden, bones can snap. You can break a bone by falling off a skateboard or crashing down from the monkey bars.
When a bone breaks it is called a fracture. There's more than one way to break or fracture a bone. A break can be anything from a hairline fracture (a thin break in the bone) to the bone that's snapped in two pieces like a broken tree branch.
Doctors describe fractures in the following ways:
• A complete fracture is when the bone has broken into two pieces.
• A greenstick fracture is when the bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through.
• A single fracture is when the bone is broken in one place.
• A comminuted fracture is when the bone is broken into more than two pieces or crushed.
• A bowing fracture, which only happens in kids, is when the bone bends but doesn't break.
• An open fracture is when the bone is sticking through the skin.
Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/broken_bones.html
Phillies lose All-Star Utley to broken bone in his hand
Phillies All-Star second baseman Chase Utley broke his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Utley was hit in the fifth inning by Washington's John Lannan, who was making his major-league debut. Utley finished the game, going 2-for-4, but X-rays afterward showed he broke his fourth metacarpal. He'll be placed on the disabled list today.
"As breaks go, it's not that bad of a break," Utley said. "It's definitely disappointing."
Utley, batting .336 with 17 homers and 82 RBI, didn't think he'd be sidelined for a month.
"I think it will be sooner than that," he said.
Utley's hand was swollen as he spoke with reporters after the game. "It's definitely sore," he said.
Source: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/SPT0401/707270351/1072/SPT
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Moss Rose Injury Update
With the season yet to kick off, the Silkmen already have some injury problems in the squad.
Dave Morley has been under the knife to remove a piece of bone from his knee, whilst Jamie Tolley has also had surgery, on a ruptured wrist tendon.
Both are expected to return to action in October.
Meanwhile Andy Teague remains out after his broken leg at Stockport in November and Nick Blackman has a knee problem which will sideline him until september.
Meanwhile Terry dunfield and Matt Baker look set to continue their trial spells.
Source: http://www.macclesfield.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=74796
Diagnosing Osteoporosis - Solving The Broken Bones Mystery
Osteoporosis can occur when there is a loss of bone density and strength due to a variety of factors.
Osteoporosis may be related to aging, certain types of medications, or other health related conditions. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is often made while diagnosing a fracture.
It is important that osteoporosis is diagnosed early so that accurate and aggressive treatment management can occur in order to reach the best outcome.
Not only the financial cost but the health costs associated with a missed diagnosis of or even an inaccurate diagnosis of osteoporosis can be very high. The health consequences associated with an inaccurate or omitted diagnosis of osteoporosis can be seen for years to come.
When initially diagnosed saying osteoporosis, your physician must make the determination of whether the osteoporosis is a primary or secondary diagnosis. Primary osteoporosis means it that the diagnosis is a stand-alone diagnosis, meaning that there is no other health issue that is causing it.
However, with a secondary diagnosis of osteoporosis this means that there is another health condition which is causing the osteoporosis. Some other health conditions which can lead to a secondary diagnosis of osteoporosis include conditions such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, diabetes, Cushing's disease, hyperthyroidism, osteogenesis imperfecta, and even Marfan's syndrome.
The best medical test on today's market for diagnosing osteoporosis is the DEXA scan. Considered the gold standard by many healthcare providers, the DEXA scan is completely painless for patients and only takes about 10 minutes to perform. The scan uses limited amounts of radiation to scan the bones of the wrist, the spine or the hip to assess general bone density.
This can help your physician to make a definitive diagnosis of osteoporosis as well as help your physician to determine if compared to others in your age and gender control group you have a higher risk of developing an osteoporosis related fracture.
Diagnosing osteoporosis is a fairly straightforward procedure that your general healthcare provider can handle. But even though it is an easy diagnosis to make, it is one that is critical to your overall health.
So as you age and particularly if you are female or if you have other health conditions that put you at risk for osteoporosis, make sure that you work closely with your physician to make sure that you are appropriately screened for osteoporosis.
Diagnosing osteoporosis is one diagnosis that you can't afford for your healthcare provider to miss.
Article Tags: Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Osteoporosis, Low Back Pain, Sore Back
About the Author:
For more important information on back pain, causes of back pain, back pain relief, and more, visit www.0-backpain.com where you'll find articles and information on what causes and relieving your back pain
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/diagnosing-osteoporosis-solving-the-broken-bones-mystery-165639.html
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
When to Call Your Doctor
Check the cast and the skin around the edges of the cast everyday. Look for any damage to the cast, or any red or sore areas on the skin.
Call the doctor immediately if any of the following happen:
The cast gets wet, damaged, or breaks.
Skin or nails on the fingers or toes below the cast become discolored, such as blue or gray.
Skin, fingers, or toes below the cast are numb, tingling, or cold.
The swelling is more than before the cast was put on.
Bleeding, drainage, or bad smells come from the cast.
Severe or new pain occurs.
Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cast_care/page8_em.htm
Complications
Many potential complications are related not only to wearing a cast but also to the healing of the underlying fracture.
Immediate complications
- Compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a very serious complication that can happen because of a tight cast or a rigid cast that restricts severe swelling.
Compartment syndrome happens when pressure builds within a closed space that cannot be released. This elevated pressure can cause damage to the structures inside that closed space or compartment—in this case, the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues under the cast.
This syndrome can cause permanent and irreversible damage if it is not discovered and corrected in time.
Signs of compartment syndrome
Severe pain
Numbness or tingling
Cold, pale, or blue-colored skin
Difficulty moving the joint or fingers and toes below the affected area.
If any of these symptoms occur, call the doctor right away. The cast may need to be loosened or replaced.
A pressure sore or cast sore can develop on the skin under the cast from excessive pressure by a cast that is too tight or poorly fitted.
Delayed complications
- Healing problems
Malunion: The fracture may heal incorrectly and leave a deformity in the bone at the site of the break. (Union is the term used to describe the healing of a fracture.)
Nonunion: The edges of the broken bone may not come together and heal properly.
Delayed union: The fracture may take longer to heal than is usual or expected for a particular type of fracture.
Children are at risk for a growth disturbance if their fracture goes through a growth plate. The bone may not grow evenly, causing a deformity, or it may not grow any further, causing one limb to be shorter than the other.
Arthritis may eventually result from fractures that involve a joint. This happens because joint surfaces are covered by cartilage, which does not heal as easily or as well as bone. Cartilage may also be permanently damaged at the time of the original injury.
Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cast_care/page7_em.htm
How a Cast Is Removed
Do not try to remove the cast.
When it is time to remove the cast, the doctor will take it off with a cast saw and a special tool.
A cast saw is a specialized saw made just for taking off casts. It has a flat and rounded metal blade that has teeth and vibrates back and forth at a high rate of speed.
The cast saw is made to vibrate and cut through the cast but not to cut the skin underneath.
After several cuts are made in the cast (usually along either side), it is then spread and opened with a special tool to lift the cast off.
The underlying layers of cast padding and stockinette are then cut off with scissors.
After a cast is removed, depending on how long the cast has been on, the underlying body part may look different than the other uninjured side.
The skin may be pale or a different shade.
The pattern and length of hair growth may also be different.
The injured part may even look smaller or thinner than the other side because some of the muscles have weakened and have not been used since the cast was put on.
If the cast was over a joint, the joint is likely to be stiff. It will take some time and patience before the joint regains its full range of motion.
Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cast_care/page6_em.htm
How Casts Are Applied
Many different sizes and shapes of casts are available depending on what body part needs to be protected. A doctor decides which type and shape is best for each person.
Cast application
Before casting material is applied (plaster or fiberglass), a "stockinette" is usually placed on the skin where the cast begins and ends (at the hand and near the elbow for a wrist cast). This stockinette protects the skin from the casting material.
After the stockinette is placed, soft cotton batting material (also called cast padding or Webril) is rolled on. This cotton batting layer provides both additional padding to protect the skin and elastic pressure to the fracture to aid in healing.
Next, the plaster or fiberglass cast material is rolled on while it is still wet.
The cast will usually begin to feel hard about 10-15 minutes after it is put on, but it takes much longer to be fully dry and hard.
Be especially careful with the cast for the first 1-2 days because it can easily crack or break while it is drying and hardening. It can take up to 24-48 hours for the cast to completely harden.
Plaster casts
A plaster cast is made from rolls or pieces of dry muslin that have starch or dextrose and calcium sulfate added.
When the plaster gets wet, a chemical reaction happens (between the water and the calcium sulfate) that produces heat and eventually causes the plaster to set, or get hard, when it dries.
A person can usually feel the cast getting warm on the skin from this chemical reaction as it sets.
The temperature of the water used to wet the plaster affects the rate at which the cast sets. When colder water is used, it takes longer for the plaster to set, and a smaller amount of heat is produced from the chemical reaction.
Plaster casts are usually smooth and white.
Fiberglass casts
Fiberglass casts are also applied starting from a roll that gets wet.
After the roll gets wet, it is rolled on to form the cast. Fiberglass casts also get warm and harden as they dry.
Fiberglass casts are rough on the outside and look like a weave when they dry. Some fiberglass casts may even be colored.
Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cast_care/page3_em.htm
Osasuna's Hugo Viana undergoes surgery on broken bone in foot
VALENICA, Spain: Osasuna midfielder Hugo Viana underwent successful surgery Tuesday on a broken bone in his right foot.
The Portugal midfielder broke the fifth metatarsal bone Sunday in his first preseason practice session after joining from Valencia on a one-year loan deal.
Viana is expected to miss three to four months.
___
SEVILLA, Spain (AP) — Sevilla defender Javi Navarro will miss the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup because of an ankle injury.
Sevilla team doctor Adolfo Munoz said Tuesday that the Spain centerback will continue with light aerobic workout sessions and seek treatment from a specialist doctor in Barcelona.
Navarro has been playing with an injured right ankle since the end of last season, when Sevilla successfully defended its UEFA Cup and won its fourth Copa del Rey trophy.
Sevilla hosts Real Madrid on Aug. 11 in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, which pits the Copa del Rey holder against the Spanish league champion. The second leg is at Madrid on Aug. 19.
Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/24/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Spanish-Briefs.php
Lazy children risk broken bones
Children who do not take enough exercise are in danger of suffering broken bones in later life, according to a study.
Many are failing to build up their skeleton during a vital two-year window before puberty, which is critical to building healthy bones.
Researchers in Canada have found children have the greatest increase in bone mineral after the growth spurt just before puberty.
In girls this tends to be between 10 and 12 and in boys it is from 13 to 15.
Extra effort to exercise during this time can make a big difference, say researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, who are studying 383 children.
Research co-ordinator Heather McKay said: "If we can increase bone mass by 10% by adulthood, we can decrease the incidence of fractures by 50%."
The young volunteers took part in a circuit training programme lasting 10 minutes just three times a week.
Children in this group have to skip and do box jumps, side-to-side jumps and other high-impact exercises.
Other children spend the same amount of time doing stretches and warm ups.
After a year, the girls doing circuit training had amassed an extra 2% of bone mineral compared with the stretchers.
After two years they were ahead by 5%, it is reported in New Scientist.
'Banking' bones
The results on boys are still being analysed.
People lose a quarter of their bone mass as they age.
Whether this weakens our bones largely depends on how much we build them up in childhood.
Experts believe changes need to be made to the way physical education is taught in schools.
The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) believes these findings need to be taken on board by parents and children.
A spokesman said: "The NOS is concerned about the type of physical activity that children are getting, often with too little emphasis being put into weight bearing exercises such as running, skipping and jumping.
"The NOS would like every child to get the right level of physical activity and put "bone in the bank" for later in life.
"Many children need to be more physically active and one of the ways of tackling the huge problem of osteoporosis is to encourage youngsters to increase peak bone mass by taking enough of the right type of exercise with a well-balanced calcium rich diet."
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1751664.stm
Monday, July 23, 2007
Davids sidelined with broken leg
Monday, 23 July 02:59 AET - Ajax midfielder Edgar Davids will be out of action for three months after breaking his leg in a pre-season friendly.
Davids broke his shin bone in the early stages of the match against Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer on Saturday.
The game, being played at the Eerste Divisie club's ground, was abandoned after 33 minutes due to crowd trouble.
Davids resigned for Ajax, the club with whom he started his career, in January 2007 from Tottenham and helped the Amsterdam side to the Dutch Cup at the end of last season.
Source: http://au.setanta.com/portal/article/football?open&articleid=45b31dea25b71e5880257320005bf5e9
Caring For A Cast
There are 2 types of casts that may be used to mend a broken (fractured) bone.
Plaster of Paris Cast
It takes about 2-3 days for plaster to dry after the cast has been put on. While your cast is drying, handle it with care. Rest your cast on soft surfaces only, or use a pillow. Do not rest your cast on the floor, table or desk. Do not walk on a walking cast until it is dry!
Water or moisture will cause your cast to break down, become soft or crack. Once it is wet, it will not harden again! A cast that is soft or cracked may not hold the bone(s) in place and may need to be replaced or reinforced.
Fiberglass Cast
The fiberglass cast is lighter and tougher than plaster. Do not get your cast wet. The fiberglass repels water on the outside of the cast but the padding on the inside is the same as in the plaster cast. If it gets wet, the skin under it can blister and break down. If the outside of the cast becomes dirty, use a damp cloth and mild soap to clean it.
Rest your limb on a pillow. To prevent the heel and other areas from developing sores under the cast (if you have a leg cast), it is important to rest your cast on a pillow, with the heel hanging freely over the edge. Support should be the same along the length of the limb with the cast - not at just one spot.
For all new fractures of any limb it is important to raise the limb above the heart for the first 2-3 days whenever possible. This will help to decrease pain and swelling.
Raise your limb if at any time you notice that your toes or fingers :
* are more swollen
* are a bluish colour
* feel numb or tingle (pins and needles)
Normal colour and feeling should return after a short period of time (at least 20 minutes). If this does not help, call your healthcare provider. Wiggling your fingers or toes now and then while in a cast is important. It helps stimulate blood flow and can help decrease the swelling. If there is increasing pain with moving the fingers or toes the cast may be too tight and need to be opened. In this case, go to the Emergency Department.
Bruising is normal, even if the bruising is not in the same area as your fracture. When a bone breaks, it bleeds. The blood may go down your limb by gravity. For example, if you break your arm you may notice that your hand is bruised.
Crutches or Sling
If you have been asked to use crutches or a sling, please do so. If you have been told not to walk on your cast, do not. The doctor often tells you not to walk on your cast because the break (fracture) is not stable. This means the bones could move out of alignment and you could need an operation to set it back into position.
Bathing in a Cast
Bathing in both types of casts is a challenge. You should not shower, as it is hard to control any water dripping into the cast.
Keep the Cast Protected
Use supplies from home:
1. Cover it with a towel (use elastic bands to hold it in place).
2. Cover the whole limb with a plastic bag.
3. Seal the upper edge with tape (can be duct tape but watch for skin irritation).
Buy new supplies:
A bath sleeve to cover casts may be purchased at a medical supply store. (Not recommended as it does not fit children well).
No matter what you use to protect the cast, remember to keep the limb/cast out of the water. Neither method allows the cast to be put in water.
Care for Your Cast
Do not modify (change) your cast in any way. If you remove padding or cut away pieces of your cast the position of the bones could change. The padding is there to protect your skin when the cast is being removed.
Do Not Put Anything Into Your Cast
Any object placed into your cast can irritate or create a sore inside the cast.
Casts are now padded with a material that has greatly improved the problem of itchiness. This padding helps repel moisture such as perspiration (sweat) and also allows better flow of air to the skin. If you have an itch under your cast, use a hair dryer on a cool setting to blow air down your cast. This often will stop the itch.
Contact the Doctor Looking After You or Go To the Emergency Department if You Have:
* An unusual or foul smell coming from within your cast
* A new stain on your cast caused by fluids that have collected from inside your cast
* A fever
* New pain that is in only one spot under your cast
* Noticed your toes and fingers are disappearing into your cast (the cast may be loose and the bones may shift)
* Numbness, tingling (pins and needles) or you cannot move your fingers or toes after you have raised the cast above your heart for at least 20 minutes
Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.
