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Fracture Center - Burnsville, MN

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Burnsville, Minnesota

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Fracture

Introduction to fracture

Bones 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:

  • The nerve endings that surround bones contain pain fibers and and these fibers become irritated when the bone is broken or bruised.
  • Broken bones bleed, and the blood and associated swelling (edema) causes pain.
  • Muscles that surround the injured area may go into spasm when they try to hold the broken bone fragments in place, and these spasms cause further pain.

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 Fracture

Bone Density Scan »

What 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...

Emergency Contact for Burnsville

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Burnsville Hospitals *

Fairview Ridges Hospital
201 E Nicollet Blvd
Burnsville, MN 55337
(952)892-2000

Fairview Southdale Hospital
6401 France Ave S
Edina, MN 55435
(952)924-5000

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
1 Veterans Dr
Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612)725-2000

St Francis Regional Medical Center
1455 St Francis Ave
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952)403-3000

Methodist Hospital
6500 Excelsior Blvd
Saint Louis Park, MN 55426
(952)993-5000

Abbott Northwestern Hospital
800 E 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612)863-4000

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
800 E 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612)863-4495

Children's Hospitals and Clinics Minneapolis
2525 Chicago Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612)813-6000

Children's Hospitals and Clinics St Paul
345 N Smith Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)220-6000

Phillips Eye Institute
2215 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612)775-8800

St Joseph's Hospital
69 W Exchange St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)232-3000

United Hospital
333 N Smith Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)241-8000

Shriners Hospital for Children Twin Cities
2025 E River Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612)596-6100

University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview Riverside Campus
2414 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612)672-6000

Hennepin County Medical Center
701 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612)873-3000

University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview University Campus
500 Harvard St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612)626-3000

Regions Hospital
640 Jackson St
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651)254-3456

Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospital Saint Paul
559 Capitol Blvd
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651)232-2000

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
200 E University Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651)291-2848

Regency Hospital of Minneapolis
1300 Hidden Lake Pkwy
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(763)588-2750

North Memorial Medical Center
3300 Oakdale Ave N
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
(763)520-5200

Woodwinds Health Campus
1925 Woodwinds Dr
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651)232-0100

Regina Medical Center
1175 Nininger Rd
Hastings, MN 55033
(651)480-4100

Queen of Peace Hospital
301 Second St NE
New Prague, MN 56071
(952)758-4431

Northfield Hospital
2000 North Ave
Northfield, MN 55057
(507)646-1000

St John's Hospital
1575 Beam Ave
Maplewood, MN 55109
(651)232-7000

Unity Hospital
550 Osborne Rd
Fridley, MN 55432
(763)236-5000

Cannon Falls Medical Center
1116 W Mill St
Cannon Falls, MN 55009
(507)263-4221

Ridgeview Medical Center
500 S Maple St
Waconia, MN 55387
(952)442-2191

Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center
14500 99th Ave N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763)898-1000

Mercy Hospital
4050 Coon Rapids Blvd
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763)236-6000

Lakeview Hospital
927 Churchill St W
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651)439-5330

Hudson Hospital
405 Stageline Rd
Hudson, WI 54016
(715)531-6000

Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center
3301 7th Ave N
Anoka, MN 55303
(651)431-5000

District One Hospital
200 State Ave
Faribault, MN 55021
(507)334-6451

River Falls Area Hospital
1629 E Division St
River Falls, WI 54022
(715)425-6155

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