Atraumatic bilateral femoral neck fractures are rare, especially in younger patients and those without significant comorbidities. However, pregnant individuals appear to be at increased risk due to normal physiological changes in calcium balance, leading to transient osteoporosis of the hip. In these individuals, calcium and bone mineral density are generally decreased, reflecting the calcium demands of the developing fetus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudy Design: Retrospective chart review.
Objective: To evaluate the referral rate for long-term osteoporosis management following vertebral compression fracture treated by different specialties at a single academic institution.
Methods: Patients undergoing vertebral cement augmentation for painful osteoporotic compression fractures from 2009 to 2014 were identified.
Due to the demands of resident education and long periods of time spent indoors, resident physicians may have poorer bone quality than would be expected. Forty-four resident physicians underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D level testing at our institution. Results were correlated with a survey of self-reported duty hours, physical activity, and sun exposure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis review presents a summary of basic science evidence examining the influence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on secondary fracture healing. Multiple studies suggest that TNF-α, in combination with the host reservoir of peri-fracture mesenchymal stem cells, is a main determinant in the success of bone healing. Disease states associated with poor bone healing commonly have inappropriate TNF-α responses, which likely contributes to the higher incidence of delayed and nonunions in these patient populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch into vitamin D has revealed the important role it plays in a variety of biologic functions. Despite this importance, vitamin D deficiency remains one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in the world. Although no evidence exists that athletes have a higher daily requirement than the general population, vitamin D deficiency in athletic individuals has been linked to decreased physical performance and a predisposition to stress fractures.
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