Fracture Repair Anatomy & Physiology

Fracture Repair After reduction, bone is immobilized Fractures are treated by reduction: the realignment of broken bone ends Closed reduction: put back into normal alignment by doctor Open reduction: bones put back in normal alignment and secured with pins or wires – surgery required After reduction, bone is immobilized

Fracture Repair Internally, the bone begins to heal in four major steps A hematoma forms: since blood vessels are ruptured during the break, a blood-filled swelling (hematoma) forms. The break is splinted by a fibrocartilage callus. New capillaries grow at the site of damage. Dead tissue disposed of (phagocytosis). Conn. tissue cells form fibrocartilage callus, closing the gap in the break.

Fracture repair 3. Bony callus forms: more osteoclasts & -blasts migrate to area, multiply, and gradually replace fibrocartilage with spongy bone, forming the bony callus. 4. Bone remodeling occurs: bone callus is remodeled, bringing bone back to normal

Abnormal Spine Curves Anatomy & Physiology

Kyphosis Exaggeration of thoracic curve, Can be caused by degeneration of intervertebral discs, rickets, or poor posture

Lordosis An exaggeration of the lumbar curve, also called a swayback Can be caused by increased weight gain during pregnancy, extreme obesity, poor posture, rickets

Scoliosis A sideways bending of the vertebral column, usually in the thoracic region May be a result of malformed vertebrae, paralysis of muscles on one side, poor posture, one leg being shorter than the other