Lesson 3: Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology

1. What are the two main types of fractures?

Complete (bone fully breaks) and Incomplete (crack only).

2. How are dislocation and subluxation different?

Dislocation = total loss of joint contact; Subluxation = partial displacement.

3. How do sprains and strains differ?

Sprain = ligament tear; Strain = muscle/tendon tear.

4. What is the treatment for sprains or strains?

RICE, NSAIDs, PT, and surgery if severe.

5. What is an avulsion injury?

Ligament/tendon pulls a piece of bone away.

6. How are tendinopathy and bursitis caused and treated?

Overuse → inflammation; Tx = rest, ice, NSAIDs, steroids if chronic.

7. What causes muscle strain and how is it treated?

Overstretch or tear → pain and weakness; Tx = RICE, stretching, gradual activity.

8. What are the main bone tissue types?

Compact (cortical) and Spongy (trabecular).

9. What are the functions of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes?

Osteoblasts build, osteoclasts resorb, osteocytes maintain bone.

10. What is the bone remodeling cycle?

Resorption → formation → resting phase.

11. How do PTH, calcitonin, and vitamin D affect calcium levels?

PTH ↑ Ca, calcitonin ↓ Ca, vitamin D ↑ Ca absorption.

12. How does aging affect bone remodeling?

↓ Osteoblasts, ↑ Osteoclasts → bone loss and slower healing.

13. What is osteoporosis?

Decreased bone mass from resorption > formation.

14. What are risk factors and treatments for osteoporosis?

Aging, menopause, inactivity; Tx = exercise, Ca/Vit D, bisphosphonates, hormones.

15. What is osteomalacia/rickets?

Vitamin D deficiency → poor bone mineralization.

16. How is osteomalacia treated?

Vitamin D and calcium supplements, sunlight.

17. What is Paget’s disease?

Accelerated bone turnover → thick but weak bone.

18. How is Paget’s disease treated?

Bisphosphonates, calcitonin, pain control.

19. What is osteoarthritis (OA)?

Degeneration of cartilage → bone-on-bone friction.

20. How is OA treated?

Weight loss, exercise, NSAIDs, steroids, joint replacement.

21. What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Autoimmune synovial inflammation → joint deformity.

22. How is RA treated?

DMARDs, biologics, NSAIDs, PT.

23. What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Median nerve compression in wrist → numbness/tingling.

24. How is carpal tunnel treated?

Splinting, NSAIDs, steroid injection, or surgical release.

25. What are stress fractures?

Repetitive load → microfracture; Tx = rest and gradual return.

26. What is rhabdomyolysis and its treatment?

Muscle breakdown → myoglobin release → kidney injury; Tx = IV fluids, electrolytes.

27. What is crush syndrome and its treatment?

Severe compression → shock, renal failure; Tx = fluids, manage electrolytes.

28. What is osteomyelitis?

Bone infection (often Staph aureus); Tx = long-term IV antibiotics, debridement.

29. What is compartment syndrome?

↑ Pressure in muscle → ↓ blood flow → necrosis; Tx = emergency fasciotomy.

30. How does aging affect bone healing and fracture risk?

Slower bone formation, greater osteoclast activity → delayed healing, fragility fractures.