Fracture Center - Alpharetta, GAWebMD Physician DirectoryAlpharetta, GeorgiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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FractureIntroduction to fractureBones form the skeleton of the body and allow the body to be supported against gravity and to move and function in the world. Bones also protect some body parts, and the bone marrow is the production center for blood products. Bone is not a stagnant organ. It is the body's reservoir of calcium and is always undergoing change under the influence of hormones. Parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium levels by leeching calcium from bone, while calcitonin has the opposite effect, allowing bone to accept calcium from the blood.
What causes a fracture?When outside forces are applied to bone it has the potential to fail. Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand those outside forces. Fracture, break, or crack all mean the same thing. One term is not better or worse than another. The integrity of the bone has been lost and the bone structure fails. Broken bones hurt for a variety of reasons including:
Often a fracture is easy to detect because there is obvious deformity. However, at times it is not easily diagnosed. It is important for the physician to take a history of the injury to decide what potential problems might exist. Moreover, fractures don't always occur in isolation, and there may be associated injuries that need to be addressed. Fractures can occur because of direct blows, twisting injuries, or falls. The type of forces on the bone may determine what type of injury that occurs. Descriptions of fractures can ... Recommended Reading Related to FractureWhat is osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is a condition that is characterized by bones that are less dense than, and thus not as strong as, normal bone. Osteoporosis increases the risk of breaking bone (fracture) with even minor trauma, such as a fall from standing height, or even from a cough or sneeze. Unfortunately, people often do not realize they have osteoporosis until either they have a fracture or have a screening test ordered by their doctor to check for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and low bone mass affect an estimated 44 million Americans (National Osteoporosis Foundation 2008). Of those, 10 million have osteoporosis, and the remaining 34 million have a lower than normal bone mass and are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Other risk factors include older age, family history of osteoporosis, small and thin stature, inactive lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, and use of certain medications in... Other Related Fracture ArticlesEmergency Contact for Alpharetta
Nearby Alpharetta Hospitals * North Fulton Regional Hospital  Emory Johns Creek Hospital  Gwinnett Medical Center Duluth  Glancy Rehabilitation Center  Peachford Behavioral Health System of Atlanta  Northside Hospital Forsyth  Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta  Children's Healthcare at Scottish Rite  Northside Hospital  Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital  Northside Hospital Cherokee  Wellstar Kennestone Hospital  Gwinnett Medical Center  Atlanta VA Medical Center  Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital  Devereux Georgia Treatment Network  Children's Healthcare at Egleston  DeKalb Medical Center  Emory University Hospital  Emory Adventist Hospital  Ridgeview Institute  SummitRidge Center for Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine  Piedmont Hospital  Shepherd Center  Hillside Hospital  DeKalb Medical  Laurel Heights Hospital  Emory Eastside Medical Center  Kindred Hospital Atlanta  Emory University Hospital Midtown  Select Specialty Hospital Atlanta  Atlanta Medical Center  Grady Health System  Wellstar Cobb Hospital  Georgia Regional Hospital at Atlanta  DeKalb Medical Center at Hillandale  Piedmont Mountainside Hospital  Regency Hospital of South Atlanta  South Fulton Medical Center  Cartersville Medical Center  Northeast Georgia Medical Center  Rockdale Medical Center  Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lanier Park Campus  Anchor Hospital  Wellstar Paulding Hospital  Barrow Regional Medical Center  Wellstar Douglas Hospital  Southern Regional Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Shin Splints
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Broken Toe
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Osteoporosis
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Internal Bleeding
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Chest Pain
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Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Coccydynia
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Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
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Hypercalcemia (Elevated Calcium Levels)
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Sprains and Strains
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