Chapter 6
BONES
BONES
"You'd think a guy who has broken 35 bones in his body would have a high pain threshold, but mine is pretty low. I got hit in the shin with a golf ball once, and it almost brought me to tears. I've broken bones that didn't hurt that much."
Evel Knievel, Daredevil Stunt Rider
"I figure if I keep my spirit in shape, the bones will take care of themselves." Rita Moreno, Actress
There are 206 bones in the human body
Long bones, short bones, flat bones, irregular, sesamoid bones
Evel Knievel, Daredevil Stunt Rider
"I figure if I keep my spirit in shape, the bones will take care of themselves." Rita Moreno, Actress
There are 206 bones in the human body
Long bones, short bones, flat bones, irregular, sesamoid bones
Young people regenerate bone faster. As we age women lose bone more quickly than men. With time the organic calcium in bone fades and the bone becomes less durable,, more prone to fracture and osteoarthritis.
Women who go through menopause lose the protective effect of estrogen and are more prone to osteoporosis where the bones become thin and are prone to fractures. This can be checked by a bone density test by your medical provider. Osteoporosis can be treated by taking calcium supplements and Vitamin D. Exercise, including aikido, can help keep bones healthy as people age.
Osteoarthritis is degeneration of the joint, found commonly in the hands, the spine and weight bearing joints. It is often caused by overuse and worse after activity. It is aggravated by obesity, smoking and alcohol which are harmful to the bones. Exercise is helpful, but can be painful. We will discuss this more in the next chapter.
HOW DO BONES GROW?
Bones of a baby are made of hyaline cartilage. As the baby ages, becomes a child, this cartilage calcifies and hardens into bone. By age 20 years the bones are fully developed. The bone will break down and regenerate with osteoclasts and osteoblasts activity for their entire life.
During childhood the long bones grow by extending the epiphyseal growth plate located at each end of the bone. Damage to the growth plate can prevent proper development of the bone. Caution should be given with aikido and other sports with children and young adolescents.
TYPE OF FRACTURES
Women who go through menopause lose the protective effect of estrogen and are more prone to osteoporosis where the bones become thin and are prone to fractures. This can be checked by a bone density test by your medical provider. Osteoporosis can be treated by taking calcium supplements and Vitamin D. Exercise, including aikido, can help keep bones healthy as people age.
Osteoarthritis is degeneration of the joint, found commonly in the hands, the spine and weight bearing joints. It is often caused by overuse and worse after activity. It is aggravated by obesity, smoking and alcohol which are harmful to the bones. Exercise is helpful, but can be painful. We will discuss this more in the next chapter.
HOW DO BONES GROW?
Bones of a baby are made of hyaline cartilage. As the baby ages, becomes a child, this cartilage calcifies and hardens into bone. By age 20 years the bones are fully developed. The bone will break down and regenerate with osteoclasts and osteoblasts activity for their entire life.
During childhood the long bones grow by extending the epiphyseal growth plate located at each end of the bone. Damage to the growth plate can prevent proper development of the bone. Caution should be given with aikido and other sports with children and young adolescents.
TYPE OF FRACTURES
Transverse Oblique Spiral Comminuted Avulsion Impacted Stress
HOW DO FRACTURES HEAL?
When the bone breaks, nerve endings to the periostium lining of the bone cause pain with damage to the surrounding soft tissue.
The bone will need to be properly aligned to heal, the edges brought together as closely as possible. Some fractures need simple splinting, a cast, others need surgical fixation and metal hardware.
A blood clot will form in the space between the broken bones. A collagenous fibrocarliage callus forms in the clot to fill the space. This hardens and a bony callus made from osteoblasts form over the site. Osteoclasts clean things up and remodel the bone to the original structure.
It takes four to eight weeks for a bone to heal, longer if older or the bones weak. The bone callus to the fracture site can be stronger than the original bone.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- The skeleton provides structure and support for the body, is instrumental in movement and protects the vital internal organs.
- The bone is living tissue made primarily of calcium. It is constantly being broken down by osteoclasts and rebuilt by osteoblasts bone cells.
- The bone replaces itself every 11 years.
- In children bones grow from each end via the epiphyseal growth plate. The bone matures at age 20 years.
- To heal a fracture, it needs to be immobolized. A clot forms in the open space and later a body callus forms over the fracture. It takes eight weeks for a bone to heal, the fracture site often stronger than before.
When the bone breaks, nerve endings to the periostium lining of the bone cause pain with damage to the surrounding soft tissue.
The bone will need to be properly aligned to heal, the edges brought together as closely as possible. Some fractures need simple splinting, a cast, others need surgical fixation and metal hardware.
A blood clot will form in the space between the broken bones. A collagenous fibrocarliage callus forms in the clot to fill the space. This hardens and a bony callus made from osteoblasts form over the site. Osteoclasts clean things up and remodel the bone to the original structure.
It takes four to eight weeks for a bone to heal, longer if older or the bones weak. The bone callus to the fracture site can be stronger than the original bone.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- The skeleton provides structure and support for the body, is instrumental in movement and protects the vital internal organs.
- The bone is living tissue made primarily of calcium. It is constantly being broken down by osteoclasts and rebuilt by osteoblasts bone cells.
- The bone replaces itself every 11 years.
- In children bones grow from each end via the epiphyseal growth plate. The bone matures at age 20 years.
- To heal a fracture, it needs to be immobolized. A clot forms in the open space and later a body callus forms over the fracture. It takes eight weeks for a bone to heal, the fracture site often stronger than before.