Bones play a significant role in the overall function of human body – they provide a sturdy frame for the body, protect vital organs such as heart, lungs, and even produce red blood cells. Our bones, joints, and muscles work in synergy enabling us to walk, run, sit, etc. In humans, bone formation accelerates between the ages of 20 and 30, but after the age of 35, both men and women begin to lose bone density unless they take necessary precautions to prevent it.
The risk of bone deterioration increases as one’s age progresses. Any damage sustained once you get older could mean months of struggle in the hospital unless you take necessary steps to ensure your bones are strong. It takes a great deal of care to maintain all 206 bones in a healthy condition throughout one’s life. By and large, all our daily activities depend on the sturdy framework of these bones.
"A balanced diet, regular exercise, exposure to morning sun rays, weight reduction, consuming Vitamin D tablets, and calcium-rich food can go a long way in ensuring that you always have strong and sturdy bones,” says orthopaedist, Dr. Sudarshan. Apart from maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, here are some precautionary steps to ensure you do not damage your bones:
Ruptures or cracks: Osteoporosis is a common ailment that affects bones, where a small rupture or crack in the bones subsequently leads to a fracture or breakage of the bone. An estimate reveals that one in three persons are susceptible to osteoporosis, globally. It usually affects the bones in the spine and wrist. Among women, the onset of osteoporosis is more prominent after menopause. This, however, can be corrected to some extent through estrogen replacement therapy.
Dislocation of bones: Sometimes bones can get dislocated during strenuous activity. It is difficult to judge whether the bones are broken or dislocated by touch; only an experienced orthopedist can determine the extent of damage done after examining an X-ray or an MRI scan. In case of dislocation, a doctor will follow these four steps:
Is conservative method good?
It is quite common for rural folk to see a neem hakim or conservative practitioner without consulting an expert orthopedist to get his or her problems addressed. The conservative practitioner will usually insert a sort of bamboo plate to ensure that the broken ligament stays intact. This traditional method sometimes leads to a positive result, but in more complicated cases, it may not be an effective solution. It would be better to take an expert opinion to decide the course of treatment.