Broken jaw is a term used to describe a variety of fractures that can occur in your upper or lower jaw bones. Depending on circumstances, fractures of this type can be relatively mild or severe. In most cases, milder jaw fractures require no...
There are several common symptoms associated with lateral ankle fractures, including severe pain, an inability to bear weight and swelling and bruising. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or AAOS, a fractured ankle can range...
Boxing is a high-contact sport that leaves your ribs vulnerable to continuous trauma and pressure. Your floating ribs are the four atypical ribs, located at the bottom of your ribcage. These ribs are referred to as "floating" because...
The skeletal system is made up of 200 to 300 bones, some of which support musculature and posture, or protect essential organs. Bone tissue constantly grows and develops throughout life, with some cell types continually depositing new bone tissue,...
Running is still regarded as one of the best ways to lose weight, stay fit, and keep up a healthy heart; however, it can be torture on your feet. Running shoes are designed to cushion your feet, and provide comfort and shock absorption. Insoles...
Disorders of the skeletal bone can either be present at birth or can be acquired during any time of life. Bone is made up of inorganic and organic materials. The inorganic materials include hydroxyapatite crystals that are primarily made of...
A child with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, a bone disease which is a hallmark sign of McCune-Albright disorder, can often suffer fractures in his legs, arms or facial bones. Because portions of the bone are replaced by fibrous tissue mass, even...
A fractured, or broken, ankle can result in either minimal damage that allows you to put weight on it during your recovery, or a significant amount of damage, requiring you to stay off your feet quite a bit. Multiple fractures can keep you...
The metatarsals are the long bones in the middle portion of the foot. The tarsal bones join them to the rest of the hindfoot (talus and calcaneus). The tarsal bones include the medial, middle, and lateral cuneiform bones, as well as the cuboid...
The medical term for bowlegs is genu varum. Genu refers to the knee, such as when we "genuflect" or bend a knee to the floor in respect. Think of a knight being knighted by a queen. Varum refers to varus, or bowing away from the midline of the...
Bones consist of living cells responsible for breaking down old bone tissue, known as osteoclasts, and cells that build new bone tissue, known as osteoblasts. The process by which these cells digest and reabsorb old bone tissue and lay down new...
Hereditary bone disease includes a number of skeletal system disorders caused by a family disposition. Problems causing weak, fragile, or deformed bones can arise from the bone itself, or from organs such as the kidney, liver, intestine, or...
Vitamin D is a nutrient that supports healthy bones in children and prevents bone disorders and fractures. Despite the increase in fortified foods, vitamin D deficiency is common in children, according to "The New England Journal of...
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer, which occurs in four out of every 100,000 people in the United States each year. No known risk factors are inherited, but...
According to the National Library of Medicine, a bone fracture occurs when a bone is subjected to more force than it can withstand, causing the bone to break or split. Fractures are commonly seen in automobile accidents, contact sports, falls,...
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are numerous causes of foot and ankle pain. Some causes of foot and ankle pain are more serious than others and require the immediate attention of a health care professional. Other...
Doctors use bone density tests to determine if you are at risk for osteoporosis or other bone conditions. Osteoporosis causes bones to become porous and fragile, resulting in fractures. If the test reveals a problem, your doctor will prescribe...
The term "brittle bone disease" is used to denote both oesteogenesis imperfecta, or OI, as well as osteoporosis. Each leads to weak bones that are more susceptible to fractures. In OI, the bones truly are brittle, while in osteoporosis, bones...
There are many bone disorders that affect infants. Some, such as rickets, are preventable. Genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, however, are not. Symptoms of some bone disorders are obvious at birth; others develop over time, or occur...
Ankle fractures, also known as broken ankles, range from simple to complex. There are three bones in your ankle joint: the shin bone, or tibia, the fibula, a small bone on the outside of your ankle and the talus, which is a foot bone. A fractured...
A broken bone--or fracture--is caused by trauma to a particular area of the body. Notice that the first fracture symptoms are usually pain and swelling. The area around the injury may feel numb or have a "pins and needles" sensation. If the break...
The wrist is a complex joint made up of eight bones, plus the radius and ulna, the two bones in the forearm. "Broken wrist" can refer to a fracture of any, some or all of these bones. Complications after a fractured wrist can include...
Although uncommon, multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This cancer can cause problems with bone breakdown and bone formation, as well as cause disturbances in blood...
There are many causes of anterior knee pain, or pain in the front of the knee. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, pain in the front of the knee can be caused by numerous factors,...
Many conditions can cause pain when bending the knee after a fall. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, acute knee trauma, such as a blow to the knee during a fall, accounts for approximately 1.3 million emergency room visits in...
Your calcaneus bone forms the heel at the rear of your foot and provides an attachment point for your Achilles tendon. Fractures in this bone come in several forms and can seriously degrade your ability to walk and perform everyday tasks. You can...
Since your finger has 14 bones, it may seem that a break in one shouldn't affect you much. But you need all of your finger bones in working order to carry out normal daily activities, from lifting a cup to your lips to writing a report. A broken...
Many conditions or injuries can cause pain in just one leg. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, leg pain can be caused by blood vessel disorders, nerve problems, ligament sprains, muscle strains and joint pain. In some cases,...
People who participate in sports have a greater chance of breaking a wrist. Hockey, basketball and football players are at risk for getting a broken wrist. If you ski or snowboard, you may break your wrist. You should wear the proper safety gear...
