The shaft represents the elongated part of the middle of the long bones. This part of the body is particularly resistant but can be fractured during strong shocks or bone diseases.

The shaft, also called the body of the bone, is the elongated, cylindrical part of the bone, between its two ends, called the epiphyses, which are covered with articular cartilage.

Between the diaphysis and the epiphysis, the diameter of the bone gradually increases and constitutes the transition zone, also called metaphysis.

The shaft is present in long bones:

• The tibia
• The femur
• The fibula
• Humerus
• Le radius
• le elbow

Characterized by a tube shape, the shaft represents the longitude of the bone within which the central medullary canal circulates. This duct, also known as the medullary cavity, contains what is called the yellow marrow, that is to say an assembly of lipids.

The shaft does not have cartilage. It is made up of thick, compact tissue called the cortical or cortex. It is surrounded by a membrane (the periosteum) which is rich in nourishing vessels which participate in thick ossification. It is therefore organized in very dense, longitudinal bone spans, formed of concentric columns where calcium is fixed.

This architecture gives it significant strength in torsion and bending. On the other hand, its weakness lies in the crushing.

Ossification of the diaphysis occurs during the 3rd month of embryonic life.

The pathologies that may exist at the level of the diaphysis are:

• Bone tumors 
• Fractures 
• Osteomalacia, which causes bones to curl by softening their structure
• Diaphysite, an inflammation of the diaphysis
• Camurati’s disease, which is characterized by localized sclerosis of the diaphysis. 

The diaphysis is the strongest part of the bone, it can support up to 280 kilos. In the case of a fracture of the femoral shaft, only a violent shock or a disease of the bones can be implicated. Young patients are most often victims of a violent impact such as a car accident. But the majority of cases (75%) are elderly patients with osteoporosis, or under certain treatments weaken the bone.

fractures

Treatment of a fracture of the femoral shaft, for example, is almost always surgical. It is based on osteosynthesis which aims to fix the parts of the fractured bone.

Tumors

In certain anomalies, malformations or trauma, the surgeon may have to perform a diaphysectomy, that is to say the removal of a fragment of the diaphysis (to remove a tumor, for example).

Ostéomalacie

The treatment of osteomalacia is primarily preventive.

A recommended daily intake of calcium helps to avoid any mineral calcium deficit. This daily intake is made through food (mainly in dairy products, fish and fortified soy drinks) but also through certain mineral waters rich in calcium and easy to absorb.

Vitamin D is also involved in the prevention of this pathology. Vitamin D is found in food (also present in milk, fatty fish such as salmon or trout, eggs, liver, etc.). Vitamin D intake is also possible through moderate exposure to the sun helping the body to biologically design this vitamin.

Camurati disease 

There is no treatment modifying the disease. Corticosteroids can relieve symptoms. Pain relievers and non-pharmacological methods may be prescribed to treat the pain.

pharmaceuticals

The diaphysis is particularly affected by bone diseases (osteoporosis, etc.). Medicines related to these diseases will prevent the risk of shaft fractures. 

Calcium and vitamin D supplements

The doctor sometimes suggests taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to litter against osteoporosis. Calcium intake from diet and as needed from supplementation should reach 1 mg per day. The suggested dose of vitamin D varies between 200 IU and 800 IU (2 to 000 µg) per day, depending on the case.

Food

It is good to increase your intake of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. You must also ensure that you have an adequate intake of protein, and favor an alkaline diet (rich in fruits and vegetables).