Bones and joints are constantly under stress as a result of their function. They are, nevertheless, sometimes pushed past their limits. This can occur as a result of abuse, poor use, or the impact of an external force. Young people's joint and bone injuries are most commonly caused by sports and car accidents.
Fractures
A fracture is a break in a bone. It's possible that the split will be partial or full. The three primary forms of fractures are depicted in Figure 11-9. Greenstick fractures are a type of partial fracture that occurs frequently in children. Children's bones, which are mostly cartilage, are flexible and bend a lot like green tree twigs. They have a tendency to crack and only partially break.
When a bone breaks into two pieces, the shattered ends do not enter the skin, this is known as a simple fracture. The bone ends break through the skin sur face in more serious complex fractures. Because the bone ends of compound fractures are exposed to bacteria from outside the body, bone infection is a severe problem.
The tissues around a break enlarge when it happens for the first time. The fracture is then flooded with blood. Over the break, a sticky substance forms, which aids in the glueing of the bones back together. The periosteum then deposits calcium across the fracture. The bone gradually cements itself together with the help of living cells and minerals. Because of the multiple layers of deposited minerals, the repaired piece of a shattered bone is actually stronger than the original bone. If the bone is fractured again, it is unlikely to shatter in the same location as the previous break.
Bones frequently require medical assistance to heal properly. When a complete break occurs, a doctor repositions the bone ends in their natural position and uses a cast or brace to keep them in place while they heal. A steel pin may be surgically implanted into the bone to hold it in place if it has been crushed or cracked into pieces.
Running electricity or radio waves into a cracked bone has been discovered to speed up the healing process. A tiny power pack is worn by the patient. A fracture that does not heal on its own may benefit from electrical treatment.
Figure 11-9 The three types of bone fractures are (left) green stick, (center) simple, and (right) compound.
Injured joints
A sprain is the most frequent joint injury. When the ligaments and tendons that surround a joint are stretched, a sprain results. These tissues may be torn in a severe sprain. A sprain is frequently accompanied by painful joint swelling. It's also possible that the blood vessels and muscles surrounding the joint have been harmed. A sprain occurs when a joint is moved too far, which can happen as a result of a rapid, unexpected twist or too much pressure. A sprain is most commonly associated with a twisted ankle. Sprains normally heal on their own, but at a slow pace. Because some injuries that seem like sprains are actually fractures, all sprains should be evaluated by a doctor.
A dislocation is another sort of joint injury. The ends of the bones are wrenched out of the joint in a dislocation. The ligaments that hold the joint together have been strained or ripped. A common injury is dislocation of the shoulder joint. The dislocated bone ends must be repositioned and maintained in place with a bandage or cast until the tissues have healed.
Joint cartilage is frequently injured. If the joint is hit hard enough, cartilage can be ripped. The swelling that results may prevent the joint from moving freely. Torn cartilage is a significant condition that usually necessitates surgical excision of the injured cartilage in its entirety or in part. Cartilage tears in the knees are all too common, especially among football players. When a player's knee is struck while his foot is firmly planted on the ground, an injury ensues.
A ruptured disc can occur as a result of a spinal injury. The cartilage disc between two vertebrae ruptures, allowing the pad inside to fall out. A nerve may be compressed as a result of the vertebrae or pad pressing on it. This pressure might induce numbness and pain. The lower back discs are the most vulnerable to rupture.
The treatment for a rupturing disc begins with bed rest. There are situations when no further therapy is required. Body braces or weights may be utilised to separate the vertebrae at other times. Surgery may be required if the disc injury is severe.
Although discs can rupture as a result of a sudden injury or accident, some disc damage can be avoided. Heavy lifting frequently results in disc injury. Using proper lifting techniques can typically prevent disc damage. When lifting, use your legs. The strongest muscles in your body are those in your legs.
An injury isn't the only source of joint pain. Bursitis is a type of joint inflammation that isn't always caused by an accident. The painful inflammation of tiny sacs near joints is known as bursitis [bur SY tis]. Bursae are sacs that are found between ten dons or between tendons and bones. Tendons would rub against each other if these sacs were not present. The bursae can become inflamed as a result of an accident, infection, or overuse. Bursitis of the shoulder and knee is fairly prevalent. Resting that region of the body, applying heat, and taking painkillers are all options for mild cases. In more acute cases, medication injections or surgery may be required.
Figure 11-10 More than 55 per cent of all sports injuries occur in the four activities shown here.
Foot Problems
Your feet are subjected to a great deal of abuse on a daily basis. When you rise, they must bear the weight of your complete body. Furthermore, the stress of running and jumping is absorbed by your feet. Your feet strike the earth with tremendous force when you run. Obviously, the structure of the foot can typically take this load, but there are times when a significant problem arises.
If you stand barefoot on the floor, you may see that part of the middle section of your foot does not touch the floor. This section is called the arch. The arch results from the arrangement of bones in your feet and the tension with which the bones are held together by muscles and ligaments. This structure makes your foot act like a spring When your foot hits the ground, the arch flattens slightly and bounces back. This spring action absorbs shock and uses the energy of the impact to bounce you onto your next step.
When you stand barefoot on the floor, you'll notice that portion of your middle foot does not touch the ground. The arch is the name given to this portion. The arch is formed by the arrangement of bones in your foot and the tension with which muscles and ligaments hold the bones together. Your foot acts as a spring as a result of its construction. The arch of your foot flattens somewhat and bounces back as it meets the ground. This spring action absorbs shock and uses the impact's energy to propel you forward to your next stride.
A bunion is another painful foot condition. A bunion is a painful swelling that develops where the big toe meets the foot. Bunions can be caused by arthritis or an imbalance in the muscles of the foot and leg. Wearing tight shoes that press the toes together might also cause them. The big toe is impacted by a hinge joint that allows the toe to move up and down. Shoes that are too tight pinch the toes and press against this joint from the side. Wider shoes may aid in the early stages of bunion growth, but surgery may be required in more advanced cases.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis [skoh lee OH sis] is a condition that causes a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine. During childhood and adolescence, abnormal lateral curvature can develop. Scoliosis, if not addressed early, can lead to significant deformity later in life.
Scoliosis should be checked on a regular basis in teenagers. The testing are quick and painless. An x-ray of a child with scoliosis. Uneven shoulder level, uneven hip level, and an uneven waistline are further indications of scoliosis.
Braces are used to keep the spine from bending further in scoliosis. While the person is sleeping, electrical stimulation is occasionally utilised to address this problem. In some cases, surgery may be required.
Arthritis
The term arthritis is used to describe over a hundred distinct disorders. Swelling and puffiness of the tis sues in and around the joints are common symptoms. People of all ages are affected by these disorders. The swelling of the joint tissues in some cases of arthritis can cause the joints to stiffen and be permanently damaged.
Doctors are baffled as to what causes various types of arthritis. Some of the discomfort and swelling can be relieved with rest, warmth, nutrition, and aspirin or similar drugs. Ball-and-socket joint replacement surgery may help reduce stiffness. Arthritis, on the other hand, has no universal remedy.
Review of the Lesson
The most common bone and joint injuries are fractures, sprains, and dislocations. Some common bone and joint problems have no known cures, although there are effective treatments and many disorders can be avoided. It's crucial to learn how to use bones and joints in ways that avoid sprains and dislocations. Wear well-fitting shoes, lift with good technique, and maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to avoid difficulties.
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