With sufficient amounts of calcium in the body nerve responses are much better. As calcium decrease nerve function can be altered. If the body does not contain enough calcium in the blood, the Parathyroid gland releases Parathyroid hormone (PTH) into the blood stream to help increase calcium by activating osteoclasts to break down bone matrix and release calcium ions into the blood. This is referred to as Hypocalcemia, or the insufficient amount of calcium in the blood. On the other hand if there is to much calcium in the blood, it is then deposited in bone matrix as hard calcium salts. This is referred to as Hypercalcemia.

Fractures which are breaks in bone can occur throughout an individual’s life. When you are an adolescent bone fractures are the result of an extreme amount of stress or trauma. This is because at a younger age bones contain more cartilage and are more pliable then at an older age. When you are at adult maturity bones become more brittle and therefore can be fractured more easily because the ossification process, or creation of bone, has become complete. Everyday activities such as walking, running, or participating in anything physically demanding put stress on our bones and it is important we keep our bodies healthy to help maintain bone strength and stability. The more physical activity you endure the greater your muscle size is increased and with this increase bones become more dense. If you perform in less activity muscles begin to atrophy which in return bone loses its density.

When a bone is broken it is treated by reduction, or the realignment of bone ends by a physician. There are two different types of reduction, open reduction and closed reduction. Open Reduction – Surgery is performed and bone ends are secured together with pins or wires. Closed Reduction – Bone ends are coaxed back into position by a physician’s hands. After bones are reduced bones are casted or put into traction to begin the healing process. Open Reduction Closed Reduction

During the first step in fracture repair a hematoma is formed. This is formed as a result of the bone breaking and blood vessels rupturing. Swelling occurs as a response to damage. Bone cells that are deprived of nutrition slowly die as a result of the lack of blood flow to them.

During a fracture a fibrocartilage callus is formed to splint the break. Fibrocartilage callus – some cartilage matrix, some bony matrix, and collagen fibers makes this structure. When a fibrocartilage callus forms, this is a result of the development of new capillaries ( granulation tissue) into the clotted blood at the site of damage and the disposal of dead tissue by phagocytes.

In this step a bony callus is formed. After the break osteoclasts move in to break down the fibrocartilage and eat up dead bone cells. Osteoblasts then move in to rebuild bone matrix in the damaged area making a callus. The callus, made of spongy bone, then replaces the fibrocartilage.

Mechanical stresses over the ensuing months cause the bone to remodel itself so that it forms a strong permanent patch at the fracture site. This allows bone to return to normal movement and stability.

Hypocalcaemia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from