1. The Muscular System Lesson 2: The Pathology of the Muscular System24
The Muscular System
Lesson 2:
The Pathology of the Muscular System

2. Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to …
Define and spell the terms to learn for this chapter.
Identify and explain common disorders of the muscular system.

3. Critical Thinking Question
What types of conditions occur in the muscular system?

4. Atrophy Occurs with disuse of muscles over a long period of time
Lipoatrophy is atrophy of fat tissue, common at injection sites
Signs and symptoms:
Apparent “wasting away” appearance of a muscle group
Extreme weakness and fatigue associated with atrophic muscle groups

5. Atrophy Treatments: Isometric exercises of the immobilized muscle
Active exercise of uninjured limbs helps prevention

6. Fibromyalgia Musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder
More common in women than men
No obvious known cause; evidence of possible genetic predisposition
Signs and symptoms:
Mild to severe muscle pain and fatigue
Sleep disorders
Irritable bowel syndrome
Depression
Chronic headaches

7. Criteria to Determine Fibromyalgia
American College of Rheumatology has identified specific criteria
The patient must show pain at trigger or tender points to be considered for this diagnosis, as well as a history of widespread pain lasting at least three months

8. Treatment of Fibromalygia
Geared towards improving quality of sleep and reducing pain
Common prescriptions are muscle relaxants, pain relievers, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory drugs
Chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, relaxation techniques, and massage

9. Ganglion Cyst
Benign saclike swelling or cyst that typically develops over a joint or tendon
More common in women than men
No known cause
Signs and symptoms:
Masses occur typically on the hands, wrists, and ankles and are very painful
Erratic swelling can occur, developing and disappearing without cause

10. Treatment of Ganglion Cyst
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Aspiration of fluid (74% effective rate)
Surgery if pain or decreased range of motion occurs

11. Lyme Disease Caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium
Carried by ticks and transmitted through the bite of an infected tick
Signs and symptoms:
Round “bull’s eye” rash
Headache
Fatigue
Fever

12. Prevention and Treatment of Lyme Disease
Wearing long sleeves and pants while in heavily wooded areas
Proper use of insect repellant
Prompt removal of any tick that may be lodged in the skin
Treatment:
Erythromycin
Penicillins
Doxycycline

13. Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
Genetic disease
Progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles
There are 9 major forms
Signs and symptoms (general):
Muscle weakness
Loss of coordination
Immobility

14. Treatment of MD None specific for any of the forms
Physical therapy to prevent contractures
Orthoses for support
Corrective orthopedic surgery
Emery-Dreifuss and myotonic forms may necessitate a pacemaker, due to the cardiac problems associated with them

15. Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease
Most common in young adult women and older men
Affects any voluntary muscle, but more often found in the eye and jaw areas

16. Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Signs and symptoms:
Primary one is muscle weakness (increases during periods of activity, improves after rest)
Weakness may also occur in the muscles that control breathing and arm and leg movements
Treatment:
No cure
Controllable
Corticosteroids and anticholinesterase
Surgery, including removal of the thymus gland, may be required

17. Rotator Cuff Tears Common in shoulder muscles and tendons
Due to many years of overuse of these muscles and tendons
Also caused by one single traumatic injury
Signs and symptoms:
Limited mobility of the shoulder area
Considerable pain
Atrophy of the shoulder muscle
Cracking sensation when shoulder is moved into certain positions

18. Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears
Rest
Narcotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Splinting
Physical therapy
Range of motion exercises
Severe injuries may require possible steroid injections and possibly surgery

19. Shin Splints
Usually caused by overuse or improper conditioning of the leg muscles
Most common in running sports, military training, and high impact dancing
Also found in those with flat feet or rigid arches
Signs and symptoms:
Increased pain, tenderness, and possible swelling along the shin area

20. Treatment of Shin Splints
Rest
Ice or cold compresses to shin area
Aspirin and NSAIDs for pain management
Use of proper footwear to prevent future episodes

21. Sprain Stretching or tearing of a ligament Very common in athletes
Often occurs in ligaments of major joints
Signs and symptoms:
Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Loss of joint mobility and function

22. Treatment of Sprains RICE method:
Rest (if joint is weight bearing, should use canes or crutches)
Ice
Compression (bandages to encourage proper healing)
Elevation (above or at same level as the heart)

23. Treatment of Sprains Range of motion exercises Physical therapy NSAIDS
Surgery in rare instances

24. Strain Injury to a muscle or tendon
Chronic–from prolonged, repetitive movements
Acute–improper lifting of a heavy object
High risks found in sports such as:
Soccer
Football
Hockey
Tennis
Gymnastics

25. Strain Signs and symptoms: Treatment: Pain Muscle weakness
Muscle spasms
Loss of muscle function
Inflammation
Cramping
Swelling
Treatment:
Similar to that of a sprain (RICE method)
Anti-inflammatory medications
Gentle stretching
Heat application
On occasion, a brace to limit mobility of the injured muscle

26. Tendonitis
Excessive and repetitive movements causing inflammation and tears of the tendon
Tendon–end part of a muscle that attaches to the bone
Common areas:
Elbow and wrist
Biceps and shoulder
Hip, leg, and knee
Achilles

27. Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment for Tendonitis
Signs and symptoms:
Pain and stiffness in the affected area
Burning sensation surrounding the joint or inflamed tendon
Pain can worsen during or right after activity

28. Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment for Tendonitis
Proper care can lessen the symptoms over three weeks
Healing does not occur for at least six weeks following the initial injury
Support and protect via braces to affected area
Physical therapy, including exercises to increase range of motion

29. Tetanus Often fatal, infectious disease
Caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria
Toxin enters body through a puncture, cut or open wound
Signs and symptoms:
Profound painful muscle spasms
Lockjaw
Difficulty swallowing due to neck stiffness
Stiffness of chest, abdominal, and back muscles
Fever

30. Questions? 30