Oh, dem achy bones

Any idea how many bones are in the human body?

There are 206 bones in the adult human body, and more than 300 bones in an infant! Our bones are what hold us together and support our bodies; otherwise we'd be big blobs of muscle and flesh with very limited mobility.

However, our bones aren't the only body parts that support us and allow for movement. Our joints are what provide the real movement and without them we would be stiff, rather immobile creatures.

Our bones and joints work together to facilitate movement, and for those of us with bone or joint pain we know how limiting these kinds of orthopedic conditions can be.

All kinds of circumstances can lead to orthopedic pain. Whether it is illness, injury, or age, if joint/ bone pain is affecting your quality of life it may be time to seek out the knowledge of an orthopedic specialist.

The most common medical complaints are back and joint pain. Other common orthopedic problems include:

• Neck pain
• Ruptured or bulging discs
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Injuries including fractures, dislocations and torn ligaments

Any of these conditions can seriously hinder your well being, and in the case of hip or knee pain, simple activities like walking or bending are difficult. Often times, orthopedic services are sought to improve the quality of life for those who want to return to their normal life and feel better. Sometimes chiropractics, physiotherapy or occupational therapy is used. If surgery is needed, then care also includes working with a physical or occupational therapist after surgery to complete the recovery.

There are more and more knee and hip replacements being done due to the aging baby boomer population. In many cases, they are choosing a total joint replacement to improve their life and to stay active. Because of this, Alaska Regional Hospital has a center completely dedicated to Orthopedic and Spine Care. At the center, our specialists work to educate the patients before surgery and during recovery.

Everyone wants the best care and we tend to shop around. It's great news to find a place that has improved care to include all facets of a patient's recovery. Our Anchorage Hospital has been ranked Number 1 for Spine Surgery, Overall Orthopedic Services, and Joint Replacement, and here's why: we provide personalized treatment, specialized care, and promote a philosophy of wellness to ensure that all 206 bones stay healthy and you stay happy.