Sign my Cast: 2008

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Bone Health and Children - How Parents Can Help

Parents regularly discuss their children’s health with their health care providers but rarely do they discuss their kid’s bone health, even though bone health is a central part of a kid’s overall health. Building strong bones by adopting nutritional and healthy lifestyle habits in childhood is very important and helps prevent bone loss and osteoporosis later in life.

Childhood, defined here as between infancy and adolescence, is a critical period for bone development. During this period, bones are actively formed through a process called remodeling, which involves breaking down old bones and building new ones. During preteen and adolescence, more bones are built than broken down and as a result, bone growth takes place during these periods. Kids are generally encouraged to consume foods rich in calcium because their bones need the mineral for development.

Most of the calcium (about 99%) in a kid’s body is found in his/her bone, which is used to form bone tissue. The amount of bone tissue in a given bone is commonly referred to as bone mass. As more calcium is deposited in bones, more bone tissue is made. This helps bones increase in strength and density, and this process continues until bone mass peaks, meaning that a person’s bones have achieved their maximum strength and density.

Experts do not agree on the precise age when bone mass peaks but for most people, it peaks by age 30. However, medical experts believe that 99% of peak bone mass is actually acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the most important time to invest in a kid’s bone health. After this point, bone growth slows down considerably.

The question is what can a Mom do to help? Moms can do two important things: Encourage her kids to develop healthy eating habits and to get plenty physical activity. Encouraging your kids to adopt proper eating habits now can make all the difference in the world as they age. One way to accomplish this goal is to lead by example. Believe it or not, your kids watch everything you do- good or bad and they are unlikely to do what you say rather than what you do.

The Academy of Sciences recommends that kids 4 - 8 years old should get 800 milligrams of calcium a day while those 9 – 18 years old should get 1300 milligrams. These intake levels can be easily met through balanced diet that includes dairy products, fruits, and vegetables as well as calcium fortified breakfast cereals and juice. Steps as simple as replacing a can of soda each day with low-fat milk can make a huge difference in your kid’s bone development.

Also, your kids need vitamin D each day. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium in the small intestine. The main sources of vitamin D are fortified food and sunlight. Most active kids do not have any trouble making enough vitamin D in their skin from sunlight. Exposure to sunlight for up to 15 minutes a day may be all they need to meet their vitamin D requirement.

In addition to promoting healthy eating, moms can encourage their kids to get involved in regular physical activity that puts stress on their bones. Putting stress on bones helps them increase in size and strength. There are many physical activities that are good for the bone. A few examples are running, walking, aerobics, softball, baseball, basketball, table and lawn tennis, dancing, skating, football, and weight lifting.

Bone health is an important part of a kid’s health, and moms can help their kids build strong bones. Encouraging them to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D is one way to achieve this goal; the other is getting them involved in regular physical activity. When it comes to bone health, there is such a thing as “too little, too late.” The health habits you help your kids form today can make, or literally break, their bones later in life.

Article Tags: Calcium, Osteoporosis, Vitamin D, Bone Health, Foods Rich In Calcium, Bone Health And Children

About the Author:
Chima Njoku is a freelance medical writer and publisher of free consumer friendly information on vitamins and minerals. To learn more about how calcium and vitamin D promote bone health, go to http://healthsolutionsontheweb.com/Calcium.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/bone-health-and-children-how-parents-can-help-348630.html

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Monday, March 3, 2008

Building bones

We tend think of our bones as just the scaffolding that holds us together, but they also protect our vital organs. And as we age, we need to continue getting calcium and to exercise to keep our bones healthy.

So when you're pumping iron at the gym or climbing a fourteener, you're doing it not only for your heart and overall health, but for your bones, too. Bone requires stress and strain to stay dense and strong, so walking, hiking, racquet sports and weight lifting are good exercises.

Bones are living tissue with the ability to renew and repair themselves. While they feel hard on the outside, bones have a spongy honeycomb of busy cells inside that are hard at work demolishing old bone and rebuilding with new. This process, known as "remodeling," can last three to six months, which is why a broken bone seems to take forever to fully heal.

The keys to keeping bones strong and resilient are proper nutrition and weight-bearing physical activity.

Calcium is the obvious and most important nutrient in building strong bones. Good sources are dairy foods such as yogurt, skim milk, cheese and cottage cheese, as well as spinach, collards, oranges, canned salmon, nuts, beans and peas.

Many orange juice companies fortify their products with calcium because it absorbs well in the presence of vitamin C.

But vitamin D is the real workhorse because without it calcium does not absorb properly. We produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunshine and ingest it from food and supplements. Primary food sources are fish liver oils, fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, catfish, sardines, tuna) mushrooms and whole egg.

Past 50, our bodies become less adept at absorbing vitamin D. Other groups at risk for reduced vitamin D absorption are people in northern climes where there is less seasonal sunshine and those with high skin pigmentation (particularly people of African descent). For these three groups in particular, attention to diet and supplementation becomes crucial.

Potassium and vitamins C and K — found in fruits and vegetables — are also essential for bone health, along with magnesium, which is found primarily in nuts and seeds. A minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and a small serving of nuts and seeds (pumpkin is the best) are important for preserving bone.

Fruits and vegetables are important because they are alkaline and serve to neutralize the acid produced by grain-based and protein foods, writes Bonnie Liebman in the Nutrition Action Health Letter's January-February issue. Liebman is director of nutrition for Center for Science in the Public Interest. If the body is too acidic, it will dissolve bone (an alkaline reservoir) to neutralize the acid. This is true whenever your body signals that it needs more calcium — it takes what it needs from your own bone if it is not supplied from the diet and/or created by weight-bearing exercise.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation compares bone maintenance to a savings account: There is only as much in the account as you deposit, primarily from before puberty until about age 30. The body has all the calcium it needs in the bones and teeth but allowing these withdrawals from your bone bank will cause osteoporosis. This is a debilitating disease where the bones become frail and brittle and often leads to severe disability if a bone breaks after a fall. Women in particular need to "deposit" as much bone mass as possible into their "account" because, of the 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, 8 million are women.

Healthy bones require stress and strain. The pulling action of the muscles and their connective tissues against the surface of the bone causes the bone-making cells (osteoblasts) to make bones dense and strong. Walking, jogging, dancing, hiking, snowshoeing, racquet sports (tennis, racquetball, squash), and especially weight lifting are good exercises. Swimming and bicycling don't put stress on the bones, so they're not considered good for building bone strength.

According to a study on the effects of strength training on bone density, published in 1994 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, post-menopausal women who strength-trained twice a week for a year increased their bone density compared with a sedentary control group. The study was conducted by Miriam Nelson, director of the Center for Physical Fitness at the School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and her colleagues. "High-intensity strength training exercises are an effective and feasible means to preserve bone density while improving muscle mass, strength and balance," the study found.

Physicians typically schedule a bone-mass measurement test to establish a baseline for bone density when a woman is entering menopause. This is important because estrogen, among other functions, stimulates bone-building osteoblasts and suppresses bone- dissolving osteoclasts. As estrogen levels decline, the balance tips towards the bone-destroying osteoclasts. By establishing a baseline, a physician can monitor bone mineral density more effectively.

Some bone-density machines measure hip, spine and whole body, and others are designed to measure peripheral bones such as wrist, finger, shinbone and the heel of the foot. They typically require only that you lie or sit down, depending on the type of machine recommended for you.

Testing will let you know what shape your bones are in. Then it's up to you to get the calcium, vitamins and exercise to keep them strong.

Resources
"Strong Women, Strong Bones," by Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D. (Perigee, 2000, $14.95)

"Ageless Spine, Lasting Health," by Kathleen Porter (Synergy Books, 2006, $24.95)

"Physical Activity and Bone Health," by Karim Khan (Human Kinetics, 2001, $69)

National Osteoporosis Foundation, 800-223-9994

Linda J. Buch is a certified fitness trainer in Denver; linda@LJbalance.com

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/fitness/ci_8411857

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Monday, February 18, 2008

Treatment test for broken bones

Photo by http://news.bbc.co.uk
Scientists are hoping to develop the first treatment for broken bones using a patient's own stem cells.

The procedure, which would also be used to repair damaged cartilage, is being tested at Edinburgh University.

It is hoped the revolutionary technique could be used for people whose bones have either been shattered in accidents or removed because of cancer.

Although bones often mend themselves, the aim is to speed up the process and help with more serious fractures.

The stem cells are extracted from the patient's own body and under the right conditions they turn into tiny fragments of bone tissue.

The tissue is then placed in a supportive scaffold in the patient's body, where they replace the missing or damaged area.

Dr Brendon Noble, from the University of Edinburgh's MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, said: "We hope that this will kick start the body's natural healing processes, enabling cells to grow and carry out repair to the damaged area.

"Half of us have some form of orthopaedic surgery at some point in our lives.

"Although the specific group of patients who would receive the most benefit from such therapy have yet to be determined, we envisage a number of scenarios where this therapy could be used for cartilage injuries or severe fractures."

Scientists have been given almost £1.5m to develop the treatment.

Clinical trials are expected within two years.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7250489.stm

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Stem cell fracture treatment showing results

Photo by $fractured hand xray$ ncgraphics
Australian doctors say they have had good results using adult stem cells to repair bone fractures.

The trial at Royal Melbourne Hospital involved 10 patients with leg fractures which would not heal.

Results released today show all patients treated with adult stem cells have had new bone growth, while seven patients had their fractures completely healed within six months.

Tags: health, doctors-and-medical-professionals, medical-procedures, science-and-technology , stem-cells, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/13/2161760.htm

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Broken bones start to fix themselves almost immediately

The playground at your local park probably has a conveniently spongy surface perfect for cushioning young bones upon the inevitable tumble from the jungle gym. But back in the days of monkey bars and concrete slabs, playgrounds were notorious hotbeds of bone fractures. One consolation of such a painful mishap was a cool cast signed by everyone in your class. Aside from that, a good thing about broken bones is that they start to fix themselves almost immediately. How do they do it?

Although they may appear dry and lifeless, bones are just as alive as the tissue that surrounds them. Inside the hard outer part of a bone is a spongy center filled with blood vessels and special cells that constantly tear down and rebuild the bone from the inside out. Bone cells called osteoclasts are like a demolition crew, breaking down old bone material while cells called osteoblasts are like a construction crew, building up new bone material as the old stuff is demolished.

So how do these cells help broken bones heal? When a bone breaks, a blood clot forms and bone demolition cells near the site of the break immediately begin clearing away the rubble. Meanwhile, the bone creates a sort of patch called a bone callus to replace the blood clot and hold the broken bone together. At the same time, bone construction cells near the break start to produce new bone material to repair the damage. Depending on the bone and the severity of the fracture, after several weeks its hardworking cells can repair a broken bone as good as new.

Source: http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/brokenbones.html

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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

New treatment lets patients use broken bones immediately

Jewelry designer Eve Alfille, 72, sought medical attention for a wrist fracture just 10 days before she was to show a new collection of work at her gallery in Evanston.

She thought her show would be ruined because she would be unable to finish hand-crafting her jewelry with a clunky cast on her wrist.

She went to one doctor who told her he wouldn’t perform surgery – the wrist would just have to heal on its own. Without the surgery she faced permanent displacement, and might not have been able to twist her wrist ever again, she said.

“They weren’t really interested in my needs,” Alfille said. “I am a jewelry designer and there is a certain use of my hand that I just need – I wouldn’t be able to work.”

She was devastated and sought a second opinion. That’s when Dr. Mark Cohen, an orthopedic surgeon at Rush University Medical Center who specializes in hand, wrist and elbow surgery, told her that using the latest technology he could fix her wrist and have her back to work in just a few days.

“It was remarkable,” Alfille said. “There was no pain, before or after, and I was able to do work that same day.”

Alfille is but one of many patients who will find wrists fractures less of an inconvenience than in years past. New technology, which attaches small plates to the bone, has been tested over the past five years and has now had enough trials to be proved very effective at getting patients up and running months faster than before without risk of reinjuring the bone, Cohen said.

Wrist fractures are the most common type of broken bones, which means many people could potentially be incapacitated by the injury. Cohen said in the winter with slippery sidewalk and ice-crusted parking lots he treats three to four broken wrists a week. In addition to being of use on the wrist, the plates can also be used in ankle, leg, hip and other types of fractures.

“These small little locking plates have revolutionized the way we treat broken wrists,” Cohen said. “Patients experience less pain, fewer problems after surgery, recover quicker and rapidly recover their mobility and function.”

The small locking plates are secured internally with small screws placed directly into the bone. Once in place the plates are extremely secure and permanent. The patient can almost immediately enter rehabilitation therapy and start to return to normal activities, Cohen said. Using old technology, including casts, to set the wrist -- or external screws fixed into place with metal bars -- the patient would not enter therapy until about two months after the fracture occurred.

The process is much faster because the body is essentially tricked into thinking it is healed because it has been bolted back together internally, said Dr. John Fernandez, Cohen’s partner in orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center.

“We have a couple of students who were treated the old way versus the new way and the difference is dramatic,” Fernandez said. “Patients are able to use the hand immediately rather than waiting for the fracture to heal.”

This surgery will be most influential for seniors who are the most common victims of falls that result in broken or fractured bones, Cohen said.

“Many older people live alone and their independence is very important to them,” Cohen said. “To be able to make somebody independent within a few days is a huge difference than having someone rely on only one hand for all of their activities.”

Source: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=76077

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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Osteoporosis Myth: Broken Bones From Falls Are Not Related to Osteoporosis

Reality: Fractures in individuals over the age of 50 can be the first sign of weak bones from osteoporosis or low bone mass. Each year, 1.5 million older Americans suffer a bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Half of all women over 50, and a quarter of all men, will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture sometime in their remaining life. And the problem is increasing: the surgeon general estimates that by 2020, half of all Americans over 50 will be at risk for bone fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass.

If you are over 50, any broken bone should be taken very seriously. You may think to yourself, "Anyone would have broken a bone after taking a fall like that," but a break after a fall in people over 50 may be a critical sign of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about whether you should have a bone density test to determine if your fracture could be due to osteoporosis.

There are many medications currently available to treat osteoporosis, and they have been shown to substantially reduce the risk of bone fractures for the people who take them. If your doctor prescribes an osteoporosis medication, it's important to keep taking it even if you don't see improvements on your next bone density scan. Osteoporosis drugs can be reducing your risk of bone fracture in ways that don't show up on a bone density scan. And as always, you should continue to eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

SOURCES: Department of Health and Human Services: "Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2004." National Osteoporosis Foundation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/solutions/Osteoporosis-Myths-Facts/broken-bones

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions About Casts

Getting a cast often comes with plenty of questions. Here are answers to some frequent inquiries many parents - and kids - may have about casts:

What are the different kinds of casts?
A cast, which keeps your child's bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers - a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving. These days, casts are made of either:

plaster of paris - a heavy white powder that forms a thick paste that hardens quickly when mixed with water. Plaster of paris casts are heavier than fiberglass casts and don't hold up as well in water.

synthetic (fiberglass) material - made out of fiberglass, a kind of moldable plastic, these casts come in many bright colors and are lighter and cooler. The covering (fiberglass) on synthetic casts is water-resistant, but the padding underneath is not. You can, however, get a waterproof liner. The doctor putting on your child's cast will decide if he or she should get a fiberglass cast with a waterproof lining.

How is a cast put on?
First, several layers of soft cotton are wrapped around the injured area. Next, the plaster or fiberglass outer layer is soaked in water. The doctor wraps the plaster or fiberglass around the soft first layer. The outer layer is wet but will dry to a hard, protective covering. Doctors sometimes make tiny cuts in the sides of a cast to allow room for swelling.

Can plaster of paris casts get wet?
Absolutely not! A wet cast may not hold the bone in place because the cast could start to dissolve in the water and could irritate the skin underneath it, possibly leading to infection. So your child shouldn't swim and should use a plastic bag or special sleeve, which is available online or sometimes at pharmacies, to protect the cast from water. And instead of a shower, your child may need to take a sponge bath.

Can synthetic (fiberglass) casts get wet?
Although the fiberglass itself is waterproof, the padding inside a fiberglass cast is not. So it's still important to try to keep your child's fiberglass cast from getting wet. If this is a problem, talk to your child's doctor about getting a waterproof liner. Fiberglass casts with waterproof liners allow children to continue bathing or even go swimming during the healing process. Although the liner allows for evaporation of water and sweat, it's still fragile. Also, only certain types of breaks can be treated with this type of cast. Your child's doctor will determine if the fracture may be safely treated with a waterproof cast.

Is it OK to have people sign and draw on my child's cast?
Definitely! That often makes the whole broken bone experience more bearable for kids. Permanent markers usually work best; washable ones can smear. Feel free to encourage siblings, family members, and classmates to sign it, draw pictures on it, or decorate it with stickers. Your child's doctor may even let your child keep the adorned cast as a souvenir.

What if my child has an itch in the cast?
Try blowing some air in the cast with a hair dryer - be sure to use the cool setting, though. And you should never pour baby powder or oils in the cast to try to relieve your child's itch, or try to reach the itch with long, pointed object such as a pencil or hanger - these could scratch or irritate your child's skin and can lead to an infection.

What if the cast gets a crack?
This can happen if the cast is hit or crushed, has a weak spot, or if the injured area begins to swell underneath. Call your child's doctor as soon as you notice a crack. In most cases, a simple repair can be done to the cast without needing to remove it or change it.

What if the cast is causing my child's fingers or toes to turn white, purple, or blue, or if the skin around the edges of the cast gets red or raw?
The cast may be too tight. Redness and rawness are typically signs that the cast is wet inside, from sweat or water. Sometimes, children pick at or remove the padding from the edges of fiberglass casts. They shouldn't do this, though, because the fiberglass edges can rub on the skin and cause irritation. Call your child's doctor to have the problem fixed right away.

Why aren't some types of broken bones put in casts right away?
Some kinds of fractures don't need casts to heal. Certain fractures of larger long bones, such as the femur (thighbone), are hard to keep straight in a cast. Although doctors used to commonly put many of these kinds of fractures in traction (a way of gently pulling the bone straight), these days, surgery is often used instead.

Do all broken bones need casts?
It's not practical to cast ribs and collarbones (clavicles). Even displaced collarbones (in which pieces on either side of the break are out of line) heal well with a sling or special strap called a "figure-of-eight clavicle strap," which the child wears like a vest. Some non-displaced finger and toe fractures (in which the pieces on either side of the break line up) that don't involve the joint or the growing part of a child's bone (called the growth plate) may heal well with a splint or buddy taping (taping the injured digit to the adjacent unaffected finger or toe).

Will my child feel pain when the broken bone is in a cast?
Some pain is expected for the first few days, but it's usually not severe. Your child's doctor may recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease your child's pain.

How are casts taken off?
The doctor will use a small electrical saw to remove the cast. Although it may look and sound scary to your child, the process is actually quick and painless. The saw's blade isn't sharp - it has a dull, round blade that vibrates up and down. The vibration is strong enough to break apart the fiberglass or plaster, but shouldn't hurt your child's skin and may even tickle.

What will the injured area look and feel like when the cast is removed?
Once the cast is off, the injured area will probably look and feel pretty weird to your child: The skin will be pale, dry, or flaky; hair will look darker; and the area (muscles especially) will look smaller or weaker. Don't worry, though - this is all temporary. And depending on the type and location of your child's fracture, the doctor may also give your child special exercises to do to get the muscles around the broken bone back in working order.

Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/cast_faq.html

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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

How long it takes for Broken Bones / Fractures to Heal

The following is a rough estimate to HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FOR YOUR BROKEN BONE TO HEAL in a cast. Remember that if you smoke or drink alcohol hard, this time will be longer because of these poisons.

Bone Broken ---- Time for it to Heal
Collar bone ---- 3-8 weeks
Scapula - shoulder blade ---- 3 weeks
Upper arm ---- 4 weeks
Lower arm ---- 6 weeks
Wrist ---- 3 - 8 weeks
Fingers ---- 3 weeks
Pelvis ---- 2 - 6 weeks
Upper leg ---- 12 weeks
Knee ---- 3 weeks
Lower leg ---- 6-8 weeks
Ankle ---- 6 weeks
Foot ---- 3 - 12 weeks
Toes ---- 3 weeks

Legs take so long to heal because they have to support the full weight of your body so they need to be pretty sturdy before you can resume using 'em.
Source: http://www.doctorsecrets.com/your-bones/time-to-heal-broken-bone.htm

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Saturday, January 19, 2008

Detailed Information on Fractures

A fracture is commonly referred to as a broken bone. The bones of the shape of the human body, or skeleton, which supports and protects the soft parts of the body. The bones are living tissue. They are growing fast at one's early years, and renew themselves when they are broken.

Bones have a center called the marrow, which is softer than the outer part of the bone. Bone marrow cells that had developed in red blood cells which carry oxygen to all parts of the body and the white blood cells that help fight disease. Bones also contain minerals calcium and phosphorus. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture. Fractures occur frequently due to car accidents, falls and sports injuries. Another issue is osteoporosis, which causes a weakening of the bones.

Fracture of the bone may also occur due to certain health problems that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, certain types of cancer or steogenesis imperfecta.

First aid for fractures includes stabilizing the break with a splint in order to prevent movement of the injured part. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don't apply ice directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing. Don't try to realign the bone. Surgical methods of treating fractures have their own risks and benefits. A plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment, because most broken bones can heal successfully once they have been repositioned. Traction is usually used to align a bone or bones by a gentle, steady pulling action. Proper diet and exercise.

Fractures Treatment Tips

1. Don't try to realign the bone.

2. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage.

3. Proper diet and exercise may help in preventing some fractures.

4. Traction is usually used to align a bone or bones by a gentle, steady pulling action.

5. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive.

6. A plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment.

7. Don't apply ice directly to the skin wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.

Article Tags: Fractures Information, Fractures Treatment Tips, Fractures Causes Symptoms, Get Rid Of Fractures

About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/detailed-information-on-fractures-309796.html

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Levels of Testosterone Linked to Broken Bones in Older Men

(January 14, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Having low blood levels of the male hormone testosterone could be a risk factor for fractures in men over 60, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Here are some facts about osteoporosis and fracture risk in men:

• Osteoporosis is a condition that develops with aging and the use of certain drugs in which bone mass is lost, leading to more fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures.

• While most commonly associated with women, as many as one-third of fractures related to osteoporosis occur in men.

• Men who have had a previous osteoporosis-related fracture have three to four times the risk of having another fracture as women of the same age with a fracture.

Researchers out of the University of Sydney assessed the bone mineral density (BMD) and lifestyle factors of over 600 men whose average age was nearly 73 years. They observed these men for up to 16 years, keeping track of their blood levels of testosterone and any bone fractures that occurred.

Low blood levels of testosterone were found to be linked with an increased risk for fracture in these men. After accounting for other factors known to affect the risk of fracture, including age, weight, BMD, fracture history, smoking status, and calcium intake, low testosterone remained an important risk factor.

Based on these findings, the authors conclude that low testosterone levels are a risk factor for fracture in men over 60. They suggest that physicians could use measures of blood levels of testosterone to help determine fracture risk in their male patients over 60.

Source: http://www.insidermedicine.ca/archives/Levels_of_Testosterone_Linked_to_Broken_Bones_in_Older_Men_2070.aspx

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Monday, January 14, 2008

Orthopedic Fractures

In orthopedic medicine, fractures are classified as closed or open (compound) and simple or multi-fragmentary (formerly comminuted).

Closed fractures are those in which the skin is intact, while open (compound) fractures involve wounds that communicate with the fracture and may expose bone to contamination. Open injuries carry an elevated risk of infection; they require antibiotic treatment and usually urgent surgical treatment (debridement). This involves removal of all dirt, contamination, and dead tissue.

Simple fractures are fractures that only occur along one line, splitting the bone into two pieces, while multi-fragmentary fractures involve the bone splitting into multiple pieces. A simple, closed fracture is much easier to treat and has a much better prognosis than an open, contaminated fracture. Other considerations in fracture care are displacement (fracture gap) and angulation. If angulation or displacement is large, reduction (manipulation) of the bone may be required and, in adults, frequently requires surgical care. These injuries may take longer to heal than injuries without displacement or angulation.

Another type of bone fracture is a compression fracture. An example of a compression fracture is when the front portion of a vertebra in the spine collapses due to osteoporosis, a medical condition which causes bones to become brittle and susceptible to fracture (with or without trauma).

Other types of fracture are:
• Complete Fracture - A fracture in which bone fragments separate completely.
• Incomplete Fracture - A fracture in which the bone fragments are still partially joined.
• Linear Fracture - A fracture that is parallel to the bone's long axis.
• Transverse Fracture - A fracture that is at a right angle to the bone's long axis.
• Oblique Fracture - A fracture that is diagonal to a bone's long axis.
• Compression Fracture - A fracture that usually occurs in the vertebrae.
• Spiral Fracture - A fracture where at least one part of the bone has been twisted.
• Comminuted Fracture - A fracture causing many fragments.
• Compacted Fracture - A fracture caused when bone fragments are driven into each other
• Open Fracture - A fracture when the bone reaches the skin

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_fracture

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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Drug helps re-grow injured bone

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A drug designed to treat iron poisoning can help boost the body's ability to re-grow injured bone, U.S. researchers said.

In a study published online, in advance of the print edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers said deferoxamine activates a cell pathway that helps the body respond to low oxygen levels that often accompany fractures, by triggering the growth of new blood vessels, which in turn causes bone to regenerate and heal.

"With deferoxamine activating this pathway, we've proven a significant point -- it is possible to explore new, safe and more affordable ways to kick-start bone repair," study co-author Dr. Shawn Gilbert of the University of Alabama at Birmingham said in a statement. "Current treatments use complex proteins, which are expensive to make and cost thousands of dollars per dose. The type of agent used in this study is a simple, small molecule drug that costs hundreds, not thousands."

In the study, the bone density of broken mouse bones injected with deferoxamine more than doubled to 2.6 cubic millimeters, compared to 1.2 cubic millimeters in untreated bones. There were also significant increases in the number of new blood vessels, and excellent connectivity between those vessels, the study found.

Source: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/01/11/drug_helps_re-grow_injured_bone/3872/

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Cast Care

Why do I need a cast?
You have been given a cast to help your broken bone or torn ligaments heal. A cast can help keep the injured area from moving so you can heal faster without risk of repeated injury. How long you'll need to wear your cast depends on the type of injury you have and how serious it is. Your doctor may want to check your cast 1 to 3 days after putting it on to be sure that the cast isn't too tight and that your broken bone or torn ligament is starting to heal.

Will the broken bone hurt?
Almost all broken bones cause pain. The cast should relieve some pain by limiting your movements. Your pain should become less severe each day. Call your doctor immediately if the pain in the casted area gets worse after the cast has been applied. New pain may mean that the cast is too tight. You should also call your doctor right away if you have new pain that develops in another area (for example, pain in your fingers or forearm if you have a wrist or thumb injury, or pain in your toes or calf if you have an ankle or foot injury).

To relieve discomfort that can occur when you get a cast, raise the cast above your heart by propping your arm or leg on pillows. You will have to lay down if the cast is on your leg. This may reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may want to see you to check the cast.

Is it okay to get the cast wet?
With some fiberglass casts, you can swim and bathe. However, most casts shouldn't get wet. If you get one of these casts wet, irritation and infection of the skin could develop. Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cast.

To avoid getting the cast wet during bathing, you can put a plastic bag over the cast and hold it with a rubber band. If the cast does get wet, you may be able to dry out the inside padding with a blow-dryer. (Use a low setting and blow the air through the outside of the cast.) Ask your doctor about using a blow-dryer before trying this.

What can I do about itching?
If your skin itches underneath the cast, don't slip anything inside the cast, since it may damage your skin and you could get an infection. Instead, try tapping the cast or blowing air from a blow-dryer down into the cast.

Source: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/firstaid/after-injury/094.html

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Slips, Trips And Falls Injury Compensation Claim

Claiming compensation out from an injury that is caused by a slip, trip or fall can be tricky. If you slip on a patch of water at work, do you hold your employers liable or the plumbing company who did not work properly on the plumbing system? If you slipped on a road or a pavement, do you sue the council or the private firm that maintains the road or pavement?

Thankfully, you do not have to answer that question; your solicitor can answer that for you. Then again, you are required to present time-sensitive evidence. If you slipped on that puddle of water, check with your officemates that they saw it before your injury. If you need help in the documentation, your solicitor might have his own set of investigators who can gather the evidence for you, and properly at that.

Yes, a simple slip can cause head injuries, back injuries, broken bones and even paralysis. However, compensation claims for injuries arising from slipping and falling is one of the most abused. In the beginning, the councils simply paid out to anyone making a claim (for slipping on a road or a pavement) because an investigation would have cost more. The tide has turned however, and there are already strict guidelines and a good set of laws in place. You will find that although you tripped over a broken pavement slab, you cannot file a claim if the crack's lip does not reach the height requirement. And if you slipped on a slab that was broken only within the last 48 hours, the council will also not be held liable - they would not have known about the slab.

Thankfully though, the laws are kinder to those who have a genuine claim to file. These claims are often handled swiftly. Remember, though, that compensation claims for slips, trips and falls are only possible when the council or your employer has a proven liability. Do not expect a check in the mail if you tripped on your own shoelaces.

The rule of thumb then on claiming under "Slips, Trips and Falls" type of injury is that your slipping, tripping or falling was not your fault and you suffered from injuries that resulted in medical bills, loss of income, and pain.

In general, however, slips, trips and falls that were not your own fault could get you awarded for damages. These can include accidents that happened at work, or in public places, or in buildings, which were caused by uneven flooring or wet flooring. If you have any doubts on whether you are entitled to compensation or not, go and seek your solicitor's advice.

Aside from work places and roads, other circumstances under which you may make a claim for slips and falls include
(a) shops that do not keep their floors dry or free from any spillage,
(b) sports centers that do not keep their floors dry and free of hazardous objects, and
(c) other people's homes that have not been kept safe.

Article Tags: No Win No Fee, Solicitors, Personal Injury, Rta

Author: Hunter Blyth

About the Author:
Hunter writes articles for Start2Claim and Real Compensation No Win No Fee Personal Injury Compensation Solicitors

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/slips-trips-and-falls-injury-compensation-claim-290065.html

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Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Fractures (broken bones): First aid

A fracture is a broken bone. It requires medical attention. If the broken bone is the result of a major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number. Also call for emergency help if:

• The person is unresponsive, isn't breathing or isn't moving. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if there's no respiration or heartbeat.
• There is heavy bleeding.
• Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
• The limb or joint appears deformed.
• The bone has pierced the skin.
• The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip.
• You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back.
• You suspect a bone is broken in the hip, pelvis or upper leg (for example, the leg and foot turn outward abnormally, compared with the uninjured leg).
Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help:

• Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
• Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone, but if you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the area.
• Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don't apply ice directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
• Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC
• Shock: First aid
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): First aid
• Severe bleeding: First aid

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-fractures/FA00058

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