Why Do Some People Break When They Fall : Precaution

Learn why some individuals are more prone to bone fractures due to factors such as bone density, age, gender, diseases, and physical fitness. Understand the importance of prevention and the impact ...

MUSCULOSKELETAL

Dr Hassan Al Warraqi

7/16/2024


Why do some people break when they fall and others fall without getting hurt?

Factors Affecting Bone Fracture Susceptibility bone density

Why some people break a fall and others don't depends on many factors

You may have found young people suffering from fractures


Bone density: The denser the bone, the more it can withstand force before breaking.


Age: As we age, bones become thinner and more brittle, making them more susceptible to fracture.


Gender: In general, men have higher bone density than women, making them less likely to fracture.


Diseases: Some diseases, such as osteoporosis, weaken bones and make them more susceptible to fracture.


Quick reaction: People with quick reactions can better try to avoid a fall or mitigate its impact, reducing the risk of injury.


Muscular strength and physical fitness: People who have good muscle strength and physical fitness may be less likely to suffer fractures when they fall.

Strong muscles provide additional support for bones and reduce the possibility of fractures


Speed ​​and force: Falling from a great height or at high speed increases the risk of fractures.


Tooth fracture: When a person falls or is injured, one of his teeth may break as a result of strong pressure on the tooth or trauma.


Height: The higher the fall, the greater the force of impact on the bone, increasing the risk of fracture.


Surface: Falls on hard surfaces, such as concrete, are more likely to break than falls on soft surfaces, such as grass.


Situation: A fall on the arm is more likely to break the wrist bone, while a fall on the hip is more likely to break the femur.


Soft drink: accused of being the direct cause of many fractures



other reasons


Genetic factors: Genes play a role in determining bone density and strength.


Nutrition: A deficiency of certain nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, can weaken bones and make them more susceptible to fracture.


Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can weaken bones.


Exercise: Regular exercise can help strengthen bones and improve bone density.



Other factors that can affect the risk of breaking a bone


*Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid or get rid of obesity

*Exercising regularly, even walking

*Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

*Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol

*Have bone density tests regularly if you are at risk of osteoporosis.


*Consult a doctor about medications that may weaken bones, especially older age groups


*Use fall protection, such as non-slip mats and hand grips, at home. Prevention is better than cure


Ideas about fractions


Fractures, contrary to what some people believe, may not cause excruciating pain at times, and may not prevent you from moving.


If you can move the affected part, it is not broken

If you're writhing in pain after violently stubbing your toe on something hard, it's like, "Can you move it? If you can, it's not broken."


the ability to move the fracture site in itself is not one of the indicators that indicate the presence of a fracture or not.


Bones after healing become stronger than they were before the fracture

This information seems exaggerated and difficult to believe, at least in the long run. However, it may have some validity in the short term.



Signs of bone break down


The three most important symptoms of a fracture include pain, swelling, and a change in the shape of the bone or pain when pressure is applied to it

There is no doubt that bones protruding by about 90 degrees or penetrating the skin are signs that confirm a fracture


Another sign is that the fracture makes an

similar to the cracking of fingers during its occurrence.


if the fracture is simple, you may not notice it.




Older white women


They should be careful not to suffer fractures due to osteoporosis


There is no doubt that older women are more vulnerable than young women to fractures. The hormonal changes that usually accompany menopause or menopause affect the bones, and then osteoporosis leads to recurring fractures.



The strength of black women's bones depends on many factors: Among them is that dark-skinned women have denser bone mass in childhood.


the lower rate of bone breakdown and building in black-skinned people and their increased ability to replace and regenerate bone may have contributed to slowing the process of bone mass loss with age.


Pelvic fractures


The incidence of buttock fractures among white women is twice as high as that among black women.



Foot fractures


haematoma

inflammation

callus soft

callus hard'


remodelling


In most cases of toe fractures, an adhesive tape is placed that connects the broken toe to the toe next to it on the right or left, and is held in place in a special steel shoe. The fracture usually takes four to six weeks to heal.


Fractures in the big toe are more serious compared to other fingers, and may sometimes require immobilizing the affected toe with a splint that extends up to the muscle in the lower leg for two or three weeks.


Fracture of metatarsal bones


the bones located directly below the toes. The bones may also fuse without the need to apply a splint as long as the foot is stable.


This is due to the bones surrounding the instep from the front and back working to stabilize each other in an upright position.

It acts as a natural splint, and in 80 percent of cases the bones remain in their correct place despite the fracture.


When the fracture is in the metatarsal bones below the thumb because they are not supported by the adjacent bones in place. Sometimes surgical intervention or splints are applied.




Stages of bone healing with pictures



How long does it take for a hip fracture to heal



The majority of femur fractures require surgery, and the complete healing process may take up to 6 months


How long does it take for a fracture to heal


A broken bone can take six to eight weeks to heal

One in three women and one in five men suffer a fracture caused by osteoporosis


A hip fracture is the most serious of all. For some unclear reason, hip fractures greatly affect the poorest socially disadvantaged groups


What are the most dangerous types of fractures



Open (compound) fractures are severe fractures in which the broken bone breaks through the skin. This type of fracture is more susceptible to infection and requires immediate medical attention.


How do you know that the fracture has not healed



When pain at the fracture site persists for a long time or when the fracture does not heal in the usual period of time, some diagnostic scans may be requested, such as X-rays, MRI, and CT scans to check for a delay in bone healing.





Broken arm


In one or more of the three bones in your arm — the ulna, radius, and humerus. The most common cause of a broken arm is a fall on a fully extended arm


The importance of dates in preventing fractures


Dates, even one date a day, have a role in preventing fractures




Tips for seniors


*Treat chronic diseases, especially diabetes

*Make sure to walk daily, even with a crutch

*Reduce medications as much as possible


*Fasting or intermittent fasting

*Play sports as much as possible

*Do not drink alcohol or smoke


*Maintaining proper nutrition, eating dates, and exposure to the sun








Keywords

Some break when they fall, others do not break. Why do some break when they fall down and others don't,Bone density,age,Gender,Diseases,Quick reaction,Muscular strength and physical fitness,Speed ​​and force,Tooth fracture,Surface,Situation,A fall on the arm is to break the wrist bone,fall on the hip is to break the femur,Genetic factors,Medications,Exercise,walking,drinking alcohol,smoking,hand grips,Prevention is better than cure,after healing become stronger,pain,swelling,bones protruding,change in the shap

harvard

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-fall-without-injury

nia

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention

nhs

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/

  • Frequently Asked Questions about Falls and Injuries

  • Why do some people get injured from a fall while others do not, even if the fall appears severe?


  • Several factors determine whether a person will sustain injuries from a fall.

  • These include the individual’s ability to adapt to the fall due to experience or training, the balanced distribution of the fall’s energy over a larger area of the body, and body flexibility, which allows for better shock absorption.

  • Additionally, the type of surface on which the person falls plays a significant role, as soft surfaces reduce injury risk compared to hard ones.

  • The speed and angle of the fall also matter, as falling at an inclined angle may mitigate the impact.

  • What factors influence the likelihood of bone fractures during a fall?


  • The likelihood of bone fractures depends on factors such as bone density (higher density increases resistance), age (bones become thinner and more fragile with age), gender (men generally have higher bone density than women), and conditions like osteoporosis that weaken bones.

  • Quick reflexes, physical fitness, and muscle strength also help reduce fracture risk. Speed and height increase fracture risk, while soft surfaces lower it. Genetics, nutrition, and medications also affect bone health.

  • How can fractures be prevented?

  • Fractures can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly (even walking), eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, avoiding smoking and alcohol, undergoing regular bone density check-ups if at risk for osteoporosis,

  • consulting a doctor about medications that may weaken bones, and using fall-prevention tools like non-slip mats and handrails at home.

  • What are some misconceptions about fractures?


  • A common misconception is that fractures always cause excruciating pain and immobilization.

  • However, some fractures may not cause severe pain or prevent movement.

  • The ability to move the injured area does not rule out a fracture.

  • Another myth is that bones become stronger after healing, which may only be true in the short term.

  • What signs indicate a fracture?


  • Key signs include pain, swelling, changes in bone shape, tenderness when pressed, protrusion of the bone, or penetration through the skin.

  • A cracking sound at the time of injury may also occur. In some cases, minor fractures may go unnoticed.

  • How can the impact of a fall be reduced to lower injury risk?


  • Techniques include distributing impact energy over a wider body area by relaxing during the fall and allowing natural movement to dissipate force.

  • In sports like skiing, practicing safe falling skills—such as rolling to spread impact across body parts—is crucial.

  • Bending the knees helps absorb and redirect shock instead of allowing direct impact.

  • Why are warm-ups and exercise important for reducing fall-related injuries?


  • Proper warm-ups prepare the body for physical activity by boosting blood flow and priming muscles and joints.

  • Regular exercise enhances bone density and muscle strength, improving shock absorption and reducing injury risk during falls.

  • How does protective gear help, and can clothing reduce injury risk?


  • Wearing gear like helmets and pads boosts confidence and lowers serious injury risk, especially in sports like skiing. If protective gear is unavailable, thick clothing can reduce friction and injuries from hard surfaces.

  • Simple measures like tucking the chin to protect the head also minimize concussion and memory loss risks.


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metatarsal fracure
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bone healing stages and precess
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Why do some break when they fall down Without Getting Injured (1)
Why do some break when they fall down Without Getting Injured (1)
Why do some break when they fall down Without Getting Injured (1)
Why do some break when they fall down Without Getting Injured (1)