1. Dysfunctions of the musculo-skeletal system

2. Starter What dysfunctions of the Musculo-Skeletal system are there?
Think about what the normal Musculo-Skeletal system does, then think how it can go wrong.
You don't have to know the names of the dysfunctions, you can just write down some problems that can occur

3. Types of dysfunction Arthritis Osteoporosis Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
MS and Parkinson’s are not diseases of musculo- skeletal system but their symptoms affect functioning of muscles

4. Arthritis
Condition
Inflammation of the joints due to wearing away of cartilage
2 types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis –
Commonly occurs over age of 55
Leads to permanent damage, stiffness and deformity
Rheumatoid arthritis –
Can attack individuals of all ages
Leads to misshapen and rigid joints
Synovial membrane becomes inflamed and destroy cartilage
Scar tissue replaces damaged cartilage which causes the joints to become misshapen
More common in females

5. Arthritis Causes Osteoarthritis
Gradual wearing away of cartilage due to age
Injury
Anything else that causes extra strain on the joints e.g.
Overweight/obese
Occupational hazard – sports people, dancers etc
Skeletal deformities

6. Arthritis Causes Rheumatoid arthritis
Precise cause not known but thought to be due to a virus which causes the body to attack its own tissues by producing antibodies against the synovial membrane (auto immune disease)
Synovial membrane becomes inflamed
Complications can cause damage to:
Heart
Lungs
Nerves
Eyes

7. Arthritis Symptoms Osteoarthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis
Painful joints making it hard to move
Stiff joints
Deformed joints
Rheumatoid arthritis
Swollen joints
Raised temperature and other aching joints
Misshapen joints

8. Arthritis Treatment Pain killer drugs (analgesics)
Aspirin
Ibuprofen - Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Corticosteroids injected into joints
Joint replacement e.g. Hip replacement
Replaced by plastic or metal joints that are cemented in place
Other common joints: knees, shoulder, elbow, fingers
Physiotherapy:
Strengthen particular muscle groups
Can do the exercises in water - hydrotherapy

9. Osteoporosis Condition
Brittle bones – bones become weakened due to loss of protein from the bone
More common in females due to drop in oestrogen levels after the menopause

10. Osteoporosis
Causes
Decrease in oestrogen (oestrogen promotes bone formation)
Removal of ovaries
Poor diet
Lack of exercise
Corticosteroid drugs
Heavy smoking
Heavy drinking
Poor calcium uptake
Hormonal disorders
Genetic influence – daughters more at risk if mother has condition

11. Osteoporosis Symptoms Diagnosis
Bones break/fracture easily e.g. coughing or sneezing can cause ribs to fractures causing pain
The elderly cannot move about as easily so they quickly become dependent on others to help them
Diagnosis
X-rays
Measurement of bone density (by photon absorption)
Blood tests

12. Osteoporosis Treatment Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Biphosphonates – to arrest progress of osteoporosis
Calcitonin – to reduce effects
Calcium tablets – can be taken with HRT
Vitamin D
Pain killers (analgesics)
Exercise recommended for people who are at risk of developing osteoporosis

13. Multiple Sclerosis Condition
Chronic disease of nervous system caused by degeneration of myelin sheath around nerve cells:
Myelin insulates the nerve cells allowing impulses (messages) to be carried quickly
MS is characterised by periods of remissions and relapses
Myelin sheath covers nerve fibres

14. Multiple Sclerosis Cause Symptoms
Exact cause not known, thought to be due to:
a virus that lies dormant until a second exposure or until high stress occurs OR
A defective immune system that mistakenly identifies the myelin as ‘foreign’ so attacks it after a viral infection.
Genetic influence within a family
Symptoms
Dragging of one leg affecting walking
Double vision
Loss of sensation and muscle power

15. Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis MRI examinations CT scanning
Eye tests – look at speed of responses in the optic nerve
Lumbar puncture – fluid is taken from the spinal cord to look for high number of white blood cells

16. Multiple Sclerosis Treatment No cure, treatment to relieve symptoms
Muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms
Corticosteroid drugs to reduce inflammation
B-interferon
Surgery to halt tremors

17. Parkinson’s Disease Condition Cause
Disease of the nervous system - a neurological degenerative disease characterised by tremors
Often occurs after age of 60
Cause
Exact cause not known
Known that a chemical imbalance occurs:
Low levels of Dopamine (a neurotransmitter)

18. Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Diagnosis Tremors Slurred speech
Small muscle movements difficult so cant eat, write etc
Stiff and slow movements (rigidity)
Depression common
Diagnosis
Medical history, physical examination and observation of symptoms

19. Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Levadopa drug – is converted to dopamine in the brain
Anticholinergic drugs to reduce nerve to muscle transmission and so reduce tremors and rigidity.
Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to ease muscles spasms