Alternative names:- Bone – broken; Fracture; Stress fracture
A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone. If the skin over the bone remains intact, a fracture is referred to as a closed or simple fracture; if the bone breaks the skin, it is termed an open or compound fracture. A fracture may cause extreme pain and tenderness in the injured area; swelling; a protruding bone or blood under the skin; and numbness, tingling, or paralysis below the fracture. A major fracture, such as of ar arm or leg, may also cause a loss of the pulse below the fracture, as well as weakness and an inability to bear weight Broken arms, fingers, or legs may be bent out of alignment.
Fractures occur most often in the very young and in older adults. Indeed, fractures pose an increasing problems as we grow older and our bones become more brittle. Falls account for 87 percent of all fractures in people aged sixtyfive or older. An estimated 300,000 hip fractures occur in people over fifty years of age each year. People aged eightyfive or older are fifteen times more likely to suffer from a fracture if they fall than people between sixty and sixtyfive. Osteoporosis is a factor in many of these cases.
Hip fractures are by far the most troublesome fractures for older adults, and, unfortunately, many cannot live an independent life after a hip fracture.
Fracture Causes
- Fall from a height
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Direct blow
- Repetitive forces, such as those caused by running, can cause stress fractures of the foot, ankle, tibia, or hip.
Fracture Symptoms
- Intense pain
- Broken skin with bone protruding
- A visibly out-of-place or misshapen limb or joint
- Limited mobility or inability to move a limb
- Swelling, bruising, or bleeding
Home Remedies For Fracture
A broken bone calls for prompt professional help. After a bone has been set, the following supplements and other recommendations will aid in healing. Some of the home remedies are:-
- Take Boron, is important for the health and healing of the bone.
- Horsetail extract is a good source of silica, which enhances the utilization of calcium and promotes healing and repair.
- Take Calcium + Magnesium + Potassium. They are essential to repair bone damage and to maintain a good muscle and heart condition.
- Dolomite and bonemeal supplements will help rebuild bones.
- Take Zinc, helps repair tissue damage.
- Turmeric paste makes a good poultice. Combine turmeric with a little hot water and apply it to the site of the injury on a gauze dressing. This is also good for bruises and helps to reduce swelling.
Diet and Prevention tips for fracture
- Eat half of a fresh pineapple every day until the fracture is healed. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that acts to reduce swelling and inflammation. Use only fresh pineapple, not canned or processed. If you don’t like pineapple, the food supplement bromelain will provide the same benefits. Bromelain should be taken on an empty stomach.
- Wear protective gear while skiing, biking, roller blading, and participating in contact sports. This includes helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and shin pads.
- Avoid red meat, as well as colas and any other products containing caffeine. Foods with preservatives should also be avoided due to their phosphorus content. Phosphorus can lead to bone loss.
- DO NOT move the person unless the broken bone is stable.
- DO NOT test a bone’s ability to move.
Useful References