Skeletal System Disorders

Osteomyelitis Infection of the bone Causes include: invading bacteria, pneumonia, typhoid, inflammation of teeth, and injury to bone

Joint Disorders

Arthritis Inflammation of the joints = pain, stiffness, & swelling (over 100 different forms - most crippling disease in the U.S.) Treatment may include: anti- inflammatory medication like aspirin, exercise to maintain joint mobility, rest during pain, heat for stiffness and/or cold for swelling

Osteoarthritis Joint damage that occurs when articular cartilage softens & breaks down = pain, stiffness, & restricted movement Causes include: aging, irritation, wear & abrasion of joints Most common type of chronic arthritis Frequently affects fingers, spine, knees & hips

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation of the synovial membrane resulting in swollen, painful joints - muscle spasms, destruction of cartilage, and abnormal calcium deposits are features of this disease Cause: autoimmune disorder Affects 3x more women than men; usually begins between ages

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gout A very painful attack (inflammation) in a single joint, commonly the big toe Cause: uric acid(waste product) is not properly metabolized & builds up in the blood - needle-shaped uric acid crystals are then deposited in a joint Most common in males after age 30; hereditary link Treatment: drugs, weight loss, diet low in nucleic acid and avoidance of alcohol

Gout

Dislocation Bone is forced out of its proper position in a joint

Sprain Tearing or straining of tendons and/or ligaments resulting in pain & swelling; heals slowly due to poor blood supply in tendons/ligaments Treatment: RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation

Sprain

Nutritional Disorders

Rickets Cartilage does not ossify in children, resulting in soft bones which become bent and distorted Cause: Vitamin D deficiency

Rickets

Osteomalacia Adult bones demineralize resulting in bowed legs, flattened pelvis, and spinal deformity Cause: Vitamin D deficiency

Osteoporosis A loss in bone mass leading to thin, fragile bones - especially in the spine and femur Cause: Aging, Gender(female), menopause (decreased estrogen), poor diet, lack of exercise, genetics, smoking Treatment/Prevention: minimize risk of falls, slow down demineralization process, treat pain

Osteoporosis

Closed Fracture Bone is broken but stays in place - does not penetrate the skin A “clean break” Also called a closed fracture

Closed Fracture

Compound Fracture Broken ends of the bone protrude through soft tissues and the skin May result in severe bone infection (osteomyelitis) = massive doses of antibiotics Also called an open fracture

Compound Fracture

Greenstick fracture Bone breaks incompletely, much in the way a green twig breaks Common in children due to higher cartilage content

Greenstick fracture

Spinal Problems

Herniated discs Discs dry and harden with age, which may cause them to protrude and press on the spinal cord or nerves; results in numbness & excruciating pain

Abnormal Spinal Curvatures May be congenital (present at birth), or due to disease, poor posture, or unequal muscle pull on spine

Scoliosis Lateral curvature of the spine

Kyphosis Thoracic vertebrae curve outward “hunchback”

Lordosis Lumbar vertebrae curve inward “swayback”

THE END!