Do Broken Bones Really Hurt?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether broken bones cause pain, exploring personal experiences, biological mechanisms, and varying perceptions of pain associated with fractures. Participants share anecdotal evidence and speculate on the physiological aspects of bone pain, including the role of nerves and pain receptors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that bones contain live cells and nerves, suggesting that fractures can indeed cause pain.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of fracturing their shoulder, describing the pain as sharp and dull, lasting several weeks.
  • Another participant humorously suggests experimenting on a small bone to determine the pain level associated with fractures.
  • There are mentions of minor fractures that may not cause noticeable pain, depending on the fracture's extent and location.
  • Some participants discuss the phenomenon of being unaware of injuries due to selective attention or the influence of endorphins during activities.
  • One participant distinguishes the pain of a fracture from that of a sprain or muscle tear, emphasizing their personal experience with multiple fractures.
  • Concerns about the reliability of medical professionals are expressed, with anecdotes of misdiagnosis and personal intuition regarding pain being highlighted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether all fractures cause pain, as experiences vary widely. Some agree that fractures typically cause discomfort, while others point out exceptions where individuals may not feel pain.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors influencing pain perception, such as the type and location of the fracture, as well as individual differences in pain tolerance and awareness. There is also a discussion of the biological mechanisms behind pain, including the role of nerves and pain receptors, which remains somewhat unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals curious about the physiological aspects of pain, those with personal experiences of fractures, or anyone interested in the subjective nature of pain perception.

  • #31
Psinter said:
I don't know if there are nerves on bones.

Pain almost always comes from stimulating specialized sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system called nociceptors. It is difficult, but not impossible, to have pain arising from brain activity without nociceptor activation.

Sara Nencini and Jason J. Ivanusic
The Physiology of Bone Pain. How Much Do We Really Know?
Front Physiol. 2016; 7: 157
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00157

Jason J. Ivanusic
Molecular Mechanisms That Contribute to Bone Marrow Pain
Front Neurol 2017; 8: 458
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00458
 
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  • #32
When I broke my left hip. I was amazed at the pain that controlled me on whether I could exist anymore. Or even lay down anymore.
Took a awhile to learn to walk again. Let alone hold up a motorcycle and ride it.

You learn basic physics like your hip is the base to all other movement functions. Going to the bathroom can be a Indiana Jones type of adventure. Stairs are impossible to use. Even laying down is not comfy cozy without heavy dosage of morphine like drugs.

So from personal experience. Yeah. It hurts.
 
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  • #33
The bone structure doesn't contain neurotransmitters itself but the body tissues near the fracture site. Soft tissue refer to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, tendons and blood vessels, joint cartilage, etc. that surround the bone. The level of pain would depend upon where the fracture is located, how the fracture bone is anatomically involved on the daily regular movements of the body and what type of fracture has been produced.

Pain killers act over the tissues surrounding the bone, not over the bone.
 
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