March 16, 2023 | There are a total of 206 bones in the human adult skeleton, which serves as the body’s structural mold as well as a shield to protect internal organs. Bones provide housing for the bone marrow, where blood cells are formed, and also maintain the body’s reservoir of calcium. All bones are either flat, like the skull or vertebrae, or tubular, such as the thigh bones or arm bones. The outer part of the bone consists mainly of proteins, like collagen, and a substance called hydroxyapatite, which is largely responsible for the strength and density of the bone. Bones undergo a continuous process known as remodeling in which old bone tissue is gradually replaced by new tissue. Every bone in the body is completely reformed about every 10 years. To maintain bone density and strength, the body requires an adequate supply of calcium, other minerals and vitamin D and must produce the proper amounts of several hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.

March 16, 2023 | Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth, and proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Since the body cannot produce calcium, it must be absorbed through food. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, green leafy vegetables and calcium fortified foods, including cereal and bread. Peak bone mass refers to the genetic potential for bone density. By the age of 20, the average woman has acquired most of her skeletal mass. A large decline in bone mass occurs in older adults, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. For women this occurs around the time of menopause. It is important for young girls to reach their peak bone mass in order to maintain bone health throughout life. A person with high bone mass as a young adult is likely to have a higher bone mass later in life. Inadequate calcium consumption and physical activity early on could result in a failure to achieve peak bone mass in adulthood.

March 16, 2023 | Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. Young women and men who exercise regularly generally achieve greater peak bone mass, or maximum bone density and strength, than those who do not. For most people, bone mass peaks during the third decade of life. After that time, we begin to lose bone density. Exercising allows us to maintain muscle strength, coordination, and balance, which in turn helps to prevent falls and related fractures. The best exercise for your bones is the weight-bearing kind, which forces you to work against gravity. Some examples of weight-bearing exercises include weight training, walking, hiking, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing. Examples of exercises that are not weight-bearing include swimming and bicycling. Although these activities help build and maintain strong muscles and have excellent cardiovascular benefits, they are not the best way to exercise your bones.

March 16, 2023 | Excess calcium intake, approximately two grams or more, especially in association with excess vitamin D, may result in calcium deposits in muscles and on heart valves, causing potentially fatal damage. In older adults, vitamin D intake in excess of 800 micrograms a day should be avoided, especially when taking calcium supplements. Consuming large amounts of calcium along with milk or an absorbable antacid can result in a condition known as milk-alkali syndrome. This can cause hypercalcemia and damage to the kidneys. Do not take calcium supplements if your serum calcium levels are too high or your phosphate levels are too low, as determined by a physician. Do not take calcium supplements if you have kidney failure, are a pre-dialysis patient or are taking thiazide-type diuretics, such as Esidrix or Zaroxolyn. And since calcium may cause kidney stones, do not take calcium if you are prone to developing kidney stones.

March 16, 2023 | A bone graft involves transplanting bone tissue to restore function lost as a result of injury or disease. Surgeons use grafts to repair and rebuild diseased bones in a patient’s hips, knees, spine, and sometimes other joints. Grafts can also repair bone loss caused by some types of fractures or cancers. Once the body accepts the graft, it provides a framework for growth of new, living bone. If the transplanted bone comes from another person, it is called an allograft. Most allograft bone comes from donors who have died. Tissue banks screen these donors and disinfect and test the donated bone to make sure it is safe to use. If the transplanted bone comes from another part of your own body, it is called an autograft. Autograft bone often comes from your ribs, hips or a leg. Although there is some risk for disease transmission, the use of allografts that have undergone rigorous screening and formal processing has significantly reduced this risk.