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Branch clue to child bone secrets | Branch clue to child bone secrets |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Children traditionally break their bones falling out of trees, but a scientist says branches hold clues to a particular type of childhood fracture. | Children traditionally break their bones falling out of trees, but a scientist says branches hold clues to a particular type of childhood fracture. |
The "greenstick fracture" happens when the bone splits lengthwise, rather than cleanly at right angles. | |
Dr Roland Ennos, from Manchester University, thinks similarities between crystals in young bone and cells in young wood could explain this. | Dr Roland Ennos, from Manchester University, thinks similarities between crystals in young bone and cells in young wood could explain this. |
His research is published in the scientific journal Proceedings B. | His research is published in the scientific journal Proceedings B. |
People have been looking at the relationship between bone structure and strength for some time, and this looks at it from another direction Professor Jonathan TobiasUniversity of Bristol | People have been looking at the relationship between bone structure and strength for some time, and this looks at it from another direction Professor Jonathan TobiasUniversity of Bristol |
The way bone structure develops in children and young adults is still not fully understood by scientists. | The way bone structure develops in children and young adults is still not fully understood by scientists. |
However, "greenstick fractures" are known to be more common around puberty, when bones are growing quickly. | However, "greenstick fractures" are known to be more common around puberty, when bones are growing quickly. |
Dr Ennos suggests that, like the cells in young wood, the bone crystals being deposited in fast-growing young bone are arranged lengthways, before being remodelled so that the crystals point in different directions. | Dr Ennos suggests that, like the cells in young wood, the bone crystals being deposited in fast-growing young bone are arranged lengthways, before being remodelled so that the crystals point in different directions. |
The lengthways arrangement could make them more likely to break along those lines, just as they do in growing sticks of wood, he said. | The lengthways arrangement could make them more likely to break along those lines, just as they do in growing sticks of wood, he said. |
"Bones are remodelled to stop cracks from developing - the crystals dissolve and are relaid in those places. Children's bones have not had time to do that." | "Bones are remodelled to stop cracks from developing - the crystals dissolve and are relaid in those places. Children's bones have not had time to do that." |
He said that orthopaedic experts might be able to look into the idea further. | He said that orthopaedic experts might be able to look into the idea further. |
Professor Jonathan Tobias, a researcher in child bone health from the University of Bristol, said that the observation was an "interesting concept", although unlikely to have a direct impact on clinical practice. | Professor Jonathan Tobias, a researcher in child bone health from the University of Bristol, said that the observation was an "interesting concept", although unlikely to have a direct impact on clinical practice. |
"People have been looking at the relationship between bone structure and strength for some time, and this looks at it from another direction. | "People have been looking at the relationship between bone structure and strength for some time, and this looks at it from another direction. |
"We are certainly aware that there is an issue between growing bones at puberty and this type of fracture." | "We are certainly aware that there is an issue between growing bones at puberty and this type of fracture." |
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