Bones break when they cannot withstand a force or trauma applied to them. Correct first aid and intervention for fractures is the first step in treatment success and rapid recovery. The well-known misconceptions about bone fractures, which leave permanent damage to the body when not properly intervened, negatively affect the healing process. We have compiled the information given by Memorial Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Department Specialists about bone fractures and their treatment.
Blood circulation is important
Bone is among the rare organs that can repair itself from the human body. Healing of bone fractures depends on many factors. Adequate blood circulation with growth, antioxidants, cells that break down and rebuild bone, hormones, amino acids and numerous nutrients has an important role in the healing of the bone. The repair process begins as soon as a fracture occurs in the bones. Healing of broken bones is divided into three phases. The inflammation phase is the first phase and starts with the fracture of the bone and continues for a few days.
Bruises are a sign of healing
A clot forms with blood leaking from the vessels in the bone and surrounding tissues around the fracture and a bruise appears on the skin. . The bruise, which is known as a sign of gangrene among the people, is actually an indicator of recovery. Bruising occurs due to the collection of cells that will repair the fracture to the fracture site. In this process, signal molecules that provide intercellular communication begin to be released and cells that produce bone and cartilage appear in the environment. During the next few weeks, the cells are busy producing bone tissue, while the bone cells clear the bone waste from the area.
It takes months for the bone to repair itself
The second stage is the repair stage and begins approximately 2 weeks after fracture formation. At this stage, the proteins produced by the cells begin to harden with the precipitation of calcium mineral on them, and the structure responsible for fixing the fracture called ‘soft callus’ emerges. The newly formed soft callus tissue hardens in 6-12 weeks and turns into hard callus that can bear the load. Doctors’ words ‘your bone is healed’ actually means ‘hard callus’ has formed. The third phase is the restructuring phase required for the bone to return to its original state and continues for months.
Smoking makes fracture healing difficult
There is no orthopedic doctor who has not heard this question. ‘ Is head-trotter soup really a beneficial food for fracture healing?’ Before the question , ‘How do we support our body during the healing process of fractures?’ The answer to the question must be found. In fact, the body is already performing its healing function. Smoking, high blood sugar in diabetes, hormonal disorders, vascular problems, steroids or other drugs that impair the immune system, and inflammation that can be seen in the fracture area adversely affect the healing of the fracture. During this period, smoking should be stopped and a doctor should be consulted about other medical conditions.
Trout soup is good for the bone
Another factor in late healing of fractures is malnutrition. Healing of fractures is a process that requires high energy. While the daily energy requirement for a healthy adult is around 2500 calories, this need rises to 6000 calories for an adult who has multiple fractures and cannot get out of bed. In addition, the body needs a protein called collagen, which constitutes an important part of the bone tissue, for the healing of fractures, which are the repair process. There are studies showing that even increasing the daily protein intake by only 10-20 grams accelerates fracture healing. There are plenty of collagen protein and calcium in the bone structure in the head and trotter soup.
Dairy products support the process
Anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, as the fracture also releases free oxygen radicals, are both antioxidant and Vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen production, and vitamin D, which increases calcium absorption, will be beneficial in this process. Again, foods such as yogurt, milk and cheese, which contain calcium, the most important mineral of bone tissue, are foods that will support the process. In the studies carried out; It has been determined that consumption of lycopene found in fish oil, carrot and tomato, flavonoids found in parsley, blueberry, black tea, cocoa and peanut has an important role in the healing of fractures.
