Fracture Center - Elmhurst, ILWebMD Physician DirectoryElmhurst, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Elmhurst
Nearby Elmhurst Hospitals * Elmhurst Memorial Hospital  Kindred Hospital Northlake  Resurrection Health Care Westlake Hospital  Gottlieb Memorial Hospital  Loyola University Medical Center  Adventist GlenOaks Hospital  Riveredge Hospital  Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital  John J Madden Mental Health Center  RML Specialty Hospital  Adventist Hinsdale Hospital  Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital  RUSH Oak Park Hospital  Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago  Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital  Alexian Brothers Medical Center  Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital  Chicago-Read Mental Health Center  Resurrection Health Care West Suburban Medical Center  Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Medical Center  MacNeal Hospital  Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital  Hartgrove Hospital  Loretto Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center  Advocate Lutheran General Hospital  Kindred Hospital Chicago Central  Resurrection Health Care Holy Family Medical Center  Northwest Community Hospital  Central DuPage Hospital  Advocate Bethany Hospital  Sacred Heart Hospital  Norwegian-American Hospital  Saint Anthony Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Elizabeth Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center  Kindred Hospital Chicago North  Swedish Covenant Hospital  Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital  Streamwood Behavioral Health Center  Jesse Brown VA Medical Center  Glenbrook Hospital  John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County  CINN Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago  Johnston R Bowman Health Center  Rush University Medical Center  University of Illinois Medical Center  Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center  Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital  Edward Hospital  Methodist Hospital of Chicago  Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children's Hospital  RUSH North Shore Medical Center  St Alexius Medical Center  Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center  Children's Memorial Hospital  Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward  Thorek Memorial Hospital  Lincoln Park Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Francis Hospital  Chicago Lakeshore Hospital  Weiss Memorial Hospital  Resurrection Health Care Saint Joseph Hospital  Holy Cross Hospital  Kindred Hospital Chicago Lakeshore  Northwestern Memorial Hospital  Prentice Women's Hospital  Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago  Mercy Hospital & Medical Center  Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital  NorthShore University HealthSystems  Palos Community Hospital  Little Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers  St Bernard Hospital & Health Care Center  Provident Hospital of Cook County 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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