Miami Herald (Sunday)

Wrist fractures are common as we age. Here’s what to do about them

- BY HARLAN SELESNICK, M.D. Special to the Miami Herald

PHILADELPH­IA

Drinking alcohol in moderation is generally defined as having one drink a day for women, two for men. But even those modest-sounding amounts may have negative impacts on the brain, a new study led by University of Pennsylvan­ia researcher­s suggests.

People who drank the equivalent of just one daily glass of wine – or one can of a higherpote­ncy beer such as India pale ale – were found to have slightly smaller brains, on average, than nondrinker­s.

The apparent effect from one daily drink was equivalent to two additional years of brain aging for a typical 50year-old, the authors determined by analyzing MRI scans of more than 36,000 middle-aged people. And the connection grew sharper with more alcohol: On average, the brains of those who consumed two daily drinks looked 10 years older than those of nondrinker­s.

The researcher­s could not say for sure that moderate alcohol use caused brain shrinkage, as the scans represente­d a snapshot in time, among other limitation­s in the study.

Yet the findings were concerning enough that several of the authors have cut back on their own alcohol consumptio­n, said Reagan Wetherill, one of the study leaders. A research assistant professor

Q. out of place, shortened, or extends into the wrist joint, these injuries usually require surgery.

The goal of surgery is to restore a normal anatomical alignment of the radius and the wrist joint. The surgery is commonly performed using a metal plate and screws to maintain stability.

This allows the fracture to heal properly decreasing the risk of arthritis, pain and limited range of motion. This is particular­ly important when dealing with active people and if the injury is on your dominant hand.

Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and director of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship, Doctors Hospital. Send your questions to HarlanS@baptisthea­lth.net

 ?? FOTOLIA TNS ?? A new study found that drinking, even in moderation, can impact the brain.
FOTOLIA TNS A new study found that drinking, even in moderation, can impact the brain.
 ?? CHARLES TRAINOR JR Miami Herald File ?? Wrist injuries are common as people age, particular­ly from a fall. Surgery may be needed to realign the wrist.
CHARLES TRAINOR JR Miami Herald File Wrist injuries are common as people age, particular­ly from a fall. Surgery may be needed to realign the wrist.
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