Fracture Center - Sterling, VAWebMD Physician DirectorySterling, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Sterling
Nearby Sterling Hospitals * Inova Loudoun Hospital Center  Reston Hospital Center  Inova Fair Oaks Hospital  North Spring Behavioral Healthcare  Graydon Manor Behavioral Health  Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland  Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare  Shady Grove Adventist Hospital  Inova Fairfax Hospital  Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children  Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute  Suburban Hospital  National Institutes of Health  Sibley Memorial Hospital  Dominion Hospital  Virginia Hospital Center  Psychiatric Institute of Washington  Prince William Hospital  Georgetown University Hospital  Holy Cross Hospital  Montgomery General Hospital  Walter Reed Army Medical Center  The George Washington University Hospital  Inova Alexandria Hospital  Washington Adventist Hospital  Howard University Hospital  National Rehabilitation Hospital  Washington Hospital Center  Children's National Medical Center  Washington DC VA Medical Center  Providence Hospital  The HSC Pediatric Center  The Specialty Hospital of Washington  Saint Elizabeth's Hospital  The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley  Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital  Inova Mount Vernon Hospital  Frederick Memorial Hospital  Prince George's Hospital Center  United Medical Center  Laurel Regional Hospital  Potomac Hospital  Doctors Community Hospital  Jefferson Memorial Hospital  Howard County General Hospital  Fort Washington Hospital  Fauquier Hospital  Southern Maryland Hospital Center  Springfield Hospital 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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