Bones break when stressed. An arm, leg or finger, like a tree limb twisted in the wrong direction, hit too hard or crushed by accident, can splinter and snap.
You may think that the body’s 206 bones are as dry and lifeless as dead tree branches. Not so. Bones are made up of living tissue. New bone is added and old bone is broken down daily. This nonstop process continues from our first year until we hit 35 years. At about this age, our bones gradually start to thin as the building process slows down.
There are different kinds of broken bones. Some are called “greenstick” fractures because on the X-ray, the barely visible fracture resembles the pattern of a very young splintered twig. Other breaks are more complicated. Sometimes the bone protrudes through the skin and is called a compound fracture. Other times, the bone may separate partially or completely from the other half. Bones can also break in more than one place.
Bones in children are more pliable and resilient than those in adults. In most cases, children’s bones are still growing, especially the long bones of their arms and legs. Damage to the ends of these bones should be monitored carefully because of the risk of stunting the bone’s growth.
Bones in some senior citizens become dangerously thin with age. Many postmenopausal women and some elderly men suffer from osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones after age 35 begin losing their ability to absorb calcium from the blood. The bones in people with osteoporosis become brittle and break easily. The female hormone estrogen protects women from osteoporosis until they pass through menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help after menopause.
Broken bones need immediate treatment. Not only are they intensely painful, but unless properly cared for, broken bones may cause future deformities and limited movement.
Prevention
Make sure you and your child wear appropriate protective gear such as shoulder pads, knee pads and a helmet during sporting and recreation events. Check that everyone in the car is wearing a seat belt. Don’t start the engine until everyone has buckled up.
If you or your child likes to roller-blade, these tips may prevent injury:
- Always wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads and wrist guards
- Skate on smooth, paved surfaces
- Avoid skating at night
- Learn how to stop
If you are a postmenopausal woman, talk to your physician about hormone replacement therapy and:
- Exercise. Moderate, weight-bearing exercise such as walking, aerobics and dancing increases bone mass.
- Eat calcium-rich foods such as low-fat milk products, sardines, broccoli and calcium-fortified foods such as juices, cereals and breads.
- Take calcium supplements if necessary.
- If you smoke, quit. If you drink, limit the amount.
| Questions to Ask… | YES | NO |
| Is the person showing these signs of shock such as Fainting, Sweating, dizziness, increased thirst, rapid, weak pulse rate, Cold, pale and clammy skin | Seek emergency care | Go to next question |
| Does the person have a broken bone in the pelvis or thigh; cold, blue skin under the fracture; numbness below the fracture | Seek emergency care | Go to next question |
| If a rib is cracked, is the person also suffering shortness of breath, Is there any deformity at the fracture site, Is the pain so severe the person is unable to bear weight on the injured limb | Seek emergency care | Go to next question |
| Is there a lot of bleeding and bruising around the injury | See a Doctor | Go to next question |
| Is the injury still painful after 48 hours | See a Doctor | Provide Self-Care |
| Self-Care Procedures for Broken Bones: All broken bones require a doctor’s attention. Do not try to set a broken bone yourself or try to push a protruding bone back under the skin. However, you may need to immobilize the injured limb until you get medical attention.
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