Diseases & Disorders of the Skeletal System

PTC MT: Ch. 6; D&D of the Skeletal System

Osteoporosis

Bone loss that causes bones to become weak and thin over time. This can lead to fractures from simple movements and occurs often in the wrist, shoulder, spine, and hip

Arthritis

Often presenting as edema, arthralgia, and ankylosis. Inflammation of the joint.

Osteoarthritis

Most common form of arthritis. The breakdown of cartilage and bone occurs overtime when joints are exposed to heavy workloads either through occupation, obesity, or prior injury. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and aching.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Autoimmune and inflammatory disease that occurs when the immune system attacks itself. In the case of RA, inflammation of the joint tissues of the hands, wrists, and knees is painful and debilitating.

Gout

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint.

Myasthenia Gravis

Chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles

Fibromyalgia

Widespread pain, chronic fatigue, GI problems, and headaches.

Osteomyelitis

Bone infection caused when staphylococcus bacteria travels through the bloodstream from an infection in one part of the body to the bone.

Kyphosis

Humpback; excessive posterior curvature of the thoracic region

Lordosis

Swayback; excessive anterior curvature of the lumbar region

Scoliosis

An abnormal, lateral curvature, accompanied by twisting of the vertebral column.

Fracture

Broken Bone

Crepitation or Crepitus

Creaking or popping sound that is heard when fractured bones move against each other

Closed or Simple Fracture

Bones are broken but do not protrude the skin

Open or compound fracture

Bones are broken and pierce through the skin

Transverse Fracture

Bone is broken straight across

Spiral Fracture

The bone has twisted apart

Greenstick Fracture

Bones are partially broken; occurs mainly in children

Oblique Fracture

Bones are broken at an angle

Coles Fracture

Bones are broken at the wrist or distal radius

Stress Fracture

A small crack in the bone

Osteosarcoma; Ewing Sarcomas; chondrosarcoma

Three types of bone cancers

Comminuted Fracture

A severe fracture when the bone is broken into three or more pieces, often requires surgical repair