Skeletal System Disorders

Fractures A fracture is a broken bone. There are several types of fractures. Open fractures occur when the broken bone pierces the skin Closed fractures occur when the broken bone doesn’t pierce the skin

= Not completely broken = twisted = Crushed = straight = protruding

Spiral fracture Transverse fracture Greenstick fracture Metal fragment Compound fracture Comminuted fracture Due to gunshot wound

Process of Repairing Bone 1. After fracture a hematoma forms = a large blood clot 2. Internal callus forms = fibrocartiliage Dead and broken bone removed, & replaced with cartilage 3. Bony callus formed by osteoblasts 4. Bone heals leaving scar tissue

Osteoporosis (“Pores in Bones”) Osteoporosis is a disease resulting in the loss of bone tissue. In osteoporosis, the cancellous bone loses calcium, becomes thinner, and may disappear altogether. Weakens bone and makes it more susceptible to fractures. Occurs more often in women.

Scoliosis Scoliosis is a lateral side-to-side curve of the spine. This condition becomes apparent during adolescence. It is unknown why scoliosis affects more girls than boys.

Kyphosis Kyphosis, also called hunchback, is a forward bending of the spine. Kyphosis is caused by any condition that deforms the bones of the upper part of the spine so that the person is bent forward. Diseases that cause kyphosis include tuberculosis, syphilis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Lordosis Lordosis is the inward curvature of a portion of the lumbar and cervical vertebral column. Also called “swayback”.

Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, occurs when a joint wears out. Victims of arthritis suffer pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints. Many elderly people have osteoarthritis, and the disease may also occur if a joint has been injured many times. The joints most frequently affected are those of the hands, hips, knees, lower back, and neck.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. In addition to causing joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis sometimes can affect other organs of the body — such as the skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gouty Arthritis (Gout) Caused by excess uric acid in the blood and tissues Frequently affects the large joint of the hallux (big toe), but any joint can be affected Acute gouty arthritis is the sudden onset of joint pain caused by an inflammatory reaction to precipitated uric acid deposits Primarily affects men, strong genetic component

Slipped/Herniated Disc Occurs when the outer layer of the disc splits open, allowing the inner gel to bulge out or escape. This causes inflammation and puts pressure on the nearby nerves, resulting in back pain, pain which may travel down through your legs, leg weakness and sometimes numbness around your back. Majority of slipped discs resolve themselves over 6 weeks; if not surgery to remove the area of the disc bulging out Pinched nerve

Plantar fasciitis The plantar fascia is the ligament that connects your heel to your toes Stretching or small tears in this ligament can lead to inflammation and pain on the bottom of the foot or heel when you walk Orthotic inserts, new properly fitting shoes, steroid injections can all help relieve pain

Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis is inflammation of the bone or bone marrow due to a bacterial infection Usually occurs as a secondary infection from a primary source, such as pneumonia or a UTI Also can occur from surgeries and fractures

Osteomyelitis In adults, osteomyelitis most commonly occurs in the bones of the spine (vertebrae), feet, or in the pelvis In children, it is most commonly found in the ends of the long bones of the arms and legs, affecting the hips, knees, shoulders, and wrists.

Pharmacology of Skeletal System Joint pain (OA, RA) can be treated with analgesic creams that contain capsaicin, which is found in hot peppers and gives them their spicy flavor Capsaicin works by first stimulating and then decreasing the intensity of pain signals in the body. Although pain may at first increase, it usually decreases after the first use. Capsaicin stimulates the release of a compound believed to be involved in communicating pain between the nerves in the spinal cord and other parts of the body.

Pharmacology of Skeletal System More severe pain cases can be treated with corticosteroid shots injected into the joint Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. Cortisone is not a pain relieving medication, it only treats the inflammation. When pain is decreased from cortisone it is because the inflammation is diminished. By injecting the cortisone into a particular area of inflammation, very high concentrations of the medication can be given while keeping potential side-effects to a minimum.  Injections usually work within a few days and the effects can last up to several weeks. Not a performance enhancing drug!

Pharmacology of Skeletal System Bone density issues such as those seen in osteoporosis can be improved with diet, exercise, calcium supplements, Vitamin D supplements, and sometimes antacids such as Tums. DEXA scans are most commonly used to determine bone density and diagnosis osteoporosis and osteopenia