1. Characteristics and Treatment of Common Skeletal Disorders
Skeletal System
Characteristics and Treatment of Common Skeletal Disorders

2. Trauma
Fractures
Dislocations
Sprains
Strains

3. Fractures (aka break) pg 108
Most common traumatic injury to a bone
When this occurs, there is swelling d/t injury and bleeding tissues
The common types of fractures are:
Greenstick
Closed/simple
Open/compound
Comminuted

4. Greenstick The simplest type of fracture
Bone is partially bent, but never completely separates
Break is similar to that of a young, sap-filled woodstick, where the fibers separate lengthwise when bent
Common among children b/c their bones contain flexible cartilage

6. Closed/Simple
When the bone is broken, but the broken ends do not pierce through the skin

7. Open/Compound Most serious type of fracture
The broken bone ends pierce and protrude through the skin
Can cause infection of the bone and neighboring tissue

9. Comminuted
When the bone is splintered or broken into many pieces that can become embedded in the surrounding tissue

10. Restoring bone Occurs through 3 main methods
Closed reduction = cast or splint
Bony fragments are brought into alignment by manipulation and a cast or splint is applied
Open reduction = internal fixation
Through surgical intervention, devices such as wires, metal plates, or screws are used to hold the bone in alignment and a cast or splint may be applied
Traction
Pulling force used to hold the bones in place, used for fractures of long bones

11. Internal Fixation

13. Dislocations
Occurs when a bone is displaced from its proper position in a joint
May result in the tearing and stretching of the ligaments
Reduction or return of the bone to its proper position is necessary, along with rest to allow the ligaments to heal

15. Sprain
An injury to a joint caused by any sudden or unusual motion, such a “turning the ankle”
The ligaments are either torn from their attachments to the bones or torn across, but the joint is not dislocated
Accompanied by rapid swelling and acute pain in the area and is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

16. Strain
Overstretching or tearing of muscle

17. Concussion Result of a severe blow to the head
May be mild or severe and temporarily affect memory, judgment, speech, balance, and coordination

18. Hammer Toe
Toe that’s curled (flexed) d/t a bend in the middle joint of one or more toes
May be caused by shoes that are too tight or heels to high
The longest of the 4 smaller toes may be forced against the front of the shoe, resulting in unnatural bending of the toes with pain and pressure in the affected area

20. Diseases of the Bones: Arthritis
Inflammatory condition of one or more joints, accompanied by pain and often by changes in bone position
At least 20 different types, the most common being rheumatiod arthritis and osteoarthritis

21. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Chronic, auto-immune disease which affects the connective tissue and joints
There is acute inflammation of the connective tissue, thickening of the synovial membrane, and ankylosis (joints become fused) of the joints
Joints are badly swollen and painful
Cause is unknown

22. Osteoarthritis Known as degenerative joint disease
Occurs with aging; about 80% of all Americans affected
Articular cartilage degenerates and a bony spur formation occurs at the joint
Joints may enlarge; there is pain and swelling, especially after activity

23. Other diseases Gout Rickets Slipped (herniated) disc: Whiplash injury:
Joint disorder characterized by an acute inflammation commonly affecting the big toes; accumulation of uric acid crystals
Rickets
Found in children and caused by a lack of Vit D; bones become soft d/t lack of calcification causing bone deformities
Slipped (herniated) disc:
Condition where a cartilage disc ruptures or protrudes out of place and places pressure on the spinal nerve
Whiplash injury:
Trauma to the cervical vertebra, usually the result of a MVA (what does MVA stand for?)

24. Gout

25. Rickets

26. Herniated Disc

27. Abnormal Curvatures of the Spine
Kyphosis
Hunchback
Humped curvature in the thoracic area
Lordosis
Swayback
Exaggerated inward curvature in the lumbar region, just above the sacrum
Scoliosis
Side-to-side or lateral curvature of the spine
*page 112, figure 6-17*

28. Other Disorders Osteoporosis – “silent disease”
Porous bone disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue
Has no symptoms until a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a fracture or a vertebrae to collapse
Collapsed vertebrae may be seen in the form of loss of height, severe back pain, or spinal deformities
See figure 6-19 page 114

29. Osteomyelitis Osteosarcoma
Infection which may involve all parts of the bone
May result from injury or systemic infection and most commonly occurs in children ages 5-14
Osteosarcoma
Bone cancer
Most common sight is just above the knee

30. One more term to know: Arthroscopy
Examination of a joint using an athroscope with fiber optic lens, most knee injuries are treated with arthroscopy