25 random orthopedic-related facts you didn't know you needed to know

A medical x-ray can spot a fake diamond.

X-rays are used frequently by orthopedic surgeons to help reveal bone fractures and other musculoskeletal issues. As it turns out, x-rays can also help reveal if a diamond is real. Despite being one of the hardest substances on Earth, a diamond is almost invisible in an x-ray. The reason, without going into too much detail about attenuation coefficient, is because a diamond has a low atomic mass (12). Zirconium, on the other hand, has a much higher atomic mass (91), which is why cubic zirconia crystals show up much more clearly on an x-ray.

A one-inch cube of bone can withstand the weight of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Topping out at an estimated 15,500 pounds, a T. rex falls short of the compressive weight a cubic inch of bone can support, which is 19,000 pounds. While our bones have excellent compressive strength, their ability to absorb shear force is not quite as impressive, especially if delivered quickly (in other words, don’t let a T. rex take you out you with its tail).

Your feet absorb over 500 tons of weight every day.

With every step, the force absorbed by your foot is the equivalent of 1.2 times your body weight. So, if you weigh 130 pounds and take between 8,000 and 10,000 steps a day, that adds up to about 1.5 million pounds.

The risk of a musculoskeletal injury or condition increases with age.

There’s no sugar coating this. Yes, people age 65 or older are about 50% more likely to seek treatment for trauma, back pain, arthritis, or another types of musculoskeletal conditions than younger adults. The good news is that orthopedic doctors and physical therapists can advise you on preventative measures so you can beat the odds.

‘Tech Neck’ is a real thing and becoming increasingly common.

As our hours on digital media increase across multiple device types, we need to become more aware of the additional strain on our joints and muscles. More specifically, staring downward can cause muscle stiffness, strain, or stress injury in your neck and back. In fact, tilting your head just 15 degrees south increases the weight of your head from 11 to 27 pounds. What may start as muscle strain from holding up those 27 pounds can translate into more serious issues over time. Long term damage may include herniated discs, tension headaches, and neck sprain which may require medical attention, and sometimes surgery.

Orthopedics was originally focused on children

Orthopedic surgery was developed in France to correct deformities in children. Nicholas Andry, a professor of medicine at the University of Paris, coined the word “orthopédie” in 1741 by joining the Greek words orthos (straight) and paidion (child) for his book titled “L'orthopédie ou l'art de prévenir et de corriger dans les enfants les difformités du corps.” Orthopedics has since broadened to include all ages of people.

7.) Frequent cracking of your knuckles does not increase your risk of arthritis.

While the sound can be annoying to some people, truth is, cracking your knuckles does not increase your chances of developing arthritis. The cracking sound you hear is simply nitrogen releasing from the liquid in your joints.

8.) After high school, it will take another 14 years to become a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon.

Thinking about pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon? Be prepared for the long haul. Let’s add it up: 4 years of an undergraduate degree plus 4 in medicine plus 5 in a residency program and 1 in fellowship.

As an example, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who begins practicing in 2021 would have started college in 2007. Which seems like eons ago when you think about it. George W. Bush was president, the space shuttle program still had 18 missions to go, Bob Barker was still the host of The Price is Right, and Apple introduced the very first iPhone.

4. What is the anatomical name for the thighbone?

The femur. It is the longest and strongest bone in the body. Its length is typically 27% of a person’s height and can withstand about 4,000 newtons (900 pounds) of stress before breaking.

5. On average, how many carpal tunnel surgeries do the physicians at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center perform every month?

So far this year, our doctors have performed an average of 12 per month. It is a relatively common surgery used to treat severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome by cutting through a ligament in the wrist to make more room for the median nerve and tendons passing through the tunnel.

Other symptoms of tech neck may include shoulder pain, reduced mobility, jaw pain, and even tingling sensations.

How successful are knee replacements?

In all of medicine, knee replacements have one of the highest percentages of success. In fact, 85 percent still function 20 years after surgery. Compare that track record to automobiles, where less than 10 percent are still on the road after 20 years.

Can shoulder pain be caused by a heart attack?

Yes, shoulder pain can sometimes originate from body parts other than the actual shoulder joint itself, including the heart.

Sudden left shoulder pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, although shoulder pain by itself probably doesn’t suggest this. Heart attacks usually include other symptoms such as chest pain, faintness, shortness of breath, and sweating.

Other body parts that can cause shoulder pain include (in no particular order) the neck, lungs, gallbladder, spleen, liver, and pancreas.

If you are uncertain about the cause of your pain, seek immediate medical attention, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Are there any famous orthopedic surgeons?

Of course! However, many became famous for something other than orthopedics. One of whom is Frederick G. Banting, the youngest ever Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923 at the age of 32.

After studying orthopedic medicine, training as an orthopaedic surgeon, and teaching orthopedics at a university, it was actually the discovery of insulin that made him famous.

Where does the word “orthopedics” come from?

The word orthopedics — sometimes spelled orthopaedics — comes from two Greek words: orthos (straight) and paideion (children). The word was originally used in 1741 by Nicolas Andry, a French physician, as the title of his book, Orthopédie, which focused on childhood musculoskeletal deformities such as polio and scoliosis.

Andry included this illustration of a crooked sapling in his book, a simplified version of which continues to be used as symbol for orthopedics by several organizations.

The word’s meaning has since been broadened to include the treatment of bones, joints, and muscles in people of all ages.

Backpacks

Every year, along with the list of required school supplies furnished by the school, many parents will also add a brand new backpack to their shopping cart. Not because last year’s backpack is completely worn out, but because Elsa or Pikachu might not be cool enough for 5th grade.

Before you know it, the backpack will be overloaded with books and your child may struggle to lift and carry it. So how do you determine if the backpack is unreasonably heavy? The general consensus among orthopedists: a backpack more than 10% to 20% of your child’s body weight could result in back injuries or posture problems. Some examples:

50-lb. child — 5 to 10 lbs. maximum

75-lb. child — 7.5 to 15 lbs. maximum

100-lb child — 10 to 20 lbs. maximum

150-lb. child — 15 to 30 lbs. maximum

Even without knowing the exact weight of the backpack, the load is likely too much if your child leans forward to carry it.

1. Adults have 60 fewer bones than newborns — Mainly because adults tend to lose body parts. Just kidding! Actually, some of our bones fuse together during childhood.

2. Your bones are aliiiiiiiiive — Bones may seem dry and hard but they’re actually made of living tissue and are constantly growing and regenerating.

3. You get a completely new skeleton every 10 years — Not all at once (thank goodness), but gradually, through a process called remodeling.

4. Humans have the same number of neck bones as giraffes — Humans and giraffes both have seven cervical spine vertebrae. In fact, nearly all mammals have seven vertebrae. The only exceptions are sloths and manatees.

5. Your bones produce 2 million red blood cells every second — Bone marrow, the spongy substance found in the center of your bones, stays very busy producing blood cells. Which works out perfectly, because about 2 million of your blood cells also die every second.

If you can move it, then it’s not broken. This myth is an old one, and somehow still popular. It is entirely possible to have a fractured bone and still be able to move the affected body part. If you’re questioning whether you have a broken bone, don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment.

After arthroscopic surgery, you’ll never compete at the same level. You will definitely need some time for healing, therapy, and conditioning, but you actually stand a very good chance at returning to the same level of play. Getting back to full-throttle on the court or field depends on several factors such as the type of injury, the surgery itself, the type of sport, and how well you stick to your post-operative therapy plan. Generally speaking, recovery can range from 6 to 20 weeks.

You’re too young for a joint replacement. There is no “right” stage of life for a joint replacement. Age is just one variable among several other important considerations when evaluating the need.

You’ve got osteoarthritis, you’re just going to make it worse by exercising. We understand how this has become a common misperception. After all, it sounds logical that if your joint is damaged, the stress of exercise will cause even more damage, right? Actually, the lack of exercise can cause your joints to become even more stiff and painful. A physical therapist is a great resource for the types of exercises and activities you can enjoy, even with osteoarthritis.

Sorry to hear you have a herniated disc. When is your surgery? A herniated disc, also called ruptured or slipped disc, may sound serious, and may trigger serious pain, but it’s not a condition that typically requires surgery. In fact, about 90% of the people who seek treatment for a herniated disc do not require surgery. There are many effective non-operative treatment options.