COPING WITH…A fracture

Treating the cause can be just as important as treating the break, says Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones

- Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones

Our strong bones will break if enough force is applied, or if they’re weaker than normal. Their hard exterior and softer middle are covered by a membrane containing blood vessels and nerves – which is why knocks or fractures hurt so much! Bone cells are very active, and constantly remodel our bones’ structure in response to growth, injury and disease.

Trauma (accidents, falls, direct force) is the most common cause. Children’s bones may splinter (greenstick fractures) rather than break. Stress fractures (for example, cracks in foot bones) can develop after minor or repetitive force. Pathological fractures occur in weak spots (such as secondary cancer) or if bones are thin or brittle. Fractures caused by a fall from less-than-standing height are called fragility fractures.