Skeletal System Disorders

Arthritis Joint inflammation 2 most common forms: Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis “wear and tear” arthritis; OA Most common form of arthritis in United States Cartilage in joints breaks down over time Commonly found in: knees, hips, hands and fingers, spine

Osteoarthritis Symptoms First signs are joints that ache after physical work or exercise As disease progresses: pain in joints, swelling or tenderness, stiffness after periods of inactivity Periods of pain and inflammation (Flare-ups) and periods of no pain or inflammation (remission) Crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone when joint is used

Where does it occur? Knees: primarily weight- bearing joints Hips: severe disability, may also feel in inner thigh, groin, knees Fingers/hands: base of thumb joint is commonly affected

Where does it occur? Heberden’s nodes: small bony knobs that appear on the end joints of fingers Bouchard’s nodes: small bony knobs that appear on the middle joints of fingers

Osteoarthritis Causes Exact cause is unknown Joint damage can be due to repetitive movement or result of an injury Erosion of cartilage Damaged joint tissue can cause release of prostaglandins, which also contribute to pain and swelling

Factors that increase risk Age and gender More common in men if under 45; more common in women if over 45 Joint injury or overuse Obesity: changes increase with the amount of weight the body’s joints have to bear (knee) Heredity

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks normal joint tissues, causing inflammation of joint lining Affected joint may lose its shape

RA Symptoms Pain and stiffness lasting more than 1 hour in morning or after rest Joint inflammation Symmetrical pattern of inflammation Fatigue, malaise

About 25% of people with disease develop small lumps of tissue under skin (rheumatoid nodules)

Causes of RA Exact causes unknown Genetic! Environmental – for those with genetic tendency, RA can be triggered by infection

Effects of disease Joint inflammation Tendons become inflamed and may rupture Swelling can damage and destroy ligaments Can damage joint cartilage and bone

Treatment Options Medications Exercise Diet Alternative therapies Surgery

Fractures (broken bones) Bones can be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces)

Types of Fractures “open” fracture – if bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through skin Stable fracture – the broken ends of the bone line up and are barely out of place

Types of Fractures Transverse fracture: horizontal fracture line Oblique fracture: angled pattern Comminuted fracture: the bone shatters into 3 or more pieces

Causes of fractures Trauma: a fall, motor vehicle accident, tackle, etc. Osteoporosis: weakened bones are more likely to break Overuse: repetitive motion can tire muscles and stress bones (stress fractures)

Symptoms of fractures Swelling and tenderness around injury Bruising deformity

Treatment Put broken pieces back together and prevent movement! Casts, traction, external fixation, internal fixation

Osteoporosis Causes bone to become weak and brittle

Symptoms of Osteoporosis Back pain Loss of height over time A stooped posture Bone fractures

Causes of Osteoporosis Creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone Most people reach peak bone mass in early 20s The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone you have “in the bank” and the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis

Risk Factors Unchangeable risks: Sex: women are at higher risk Age: older people are at higher risk Race: greater risk for white or Asian descent Family history Body frame size: small body frames at higher risk

Risk Factors Hormone levels: Lowered sex hormones tend to weaken bone Thyroid problems: too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss Overactive parathyroid and adrenal glands Low calcium intake Eating disorders Steroids/medications Sedentary lifestyle Alcohol/tobacco