Signs, Symptoms and etiology of common diseases, conditions, and injuries: SKELETAL SYSTEM

Sprain

Symptoms: Painful swelling or bruising of a joint area with decreased mobility

Etiology: Joint being pushed outside of its normal range of motion, leading to joint and ligament damage

Diagnosis: Physical exam with imaging TX involves RICE

Osteoporosis

Symptoms: Typically, there are no symptoms. Severe disease can lead to increased fractures and back pain.

Etiology: Factors including malnutrition, inadequate calcium intake/absorption, endocrine disorders, immobilization and lack of exercise, and aging can lead to bone loss, making bone weaker and more prone to injury

Diagnosis: Measuring bone mineral density using a DEXA scan TX involves meds to slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk

Osteoarthritis

Symptoms: Pain with movement in a specific joint; stiffness of joints following periods of inactivity; lack of flexibility

Etiology: Degeneration (Breakdown) of articular cartilage and changes in the synovial membrane

Diagnosis: history, physical examination, and imaging TX of PT with exercise, steroid injections to relieve symptoms. Joint placement may be needed

Rheumatoid arthritis

Systemic joint disorder typically starting with pain and decreased mobility in smaller joints like fingers before progressing to large joints like knees and hips

Etiology: Autoimmune disorder leading to changes in the connective tissues of the body, especially the joints

Diagnosis: physical examination, blood tests, and imaging TX of PT for mobility, meds to manage inflammation and pain

Gout

Symptoms: red, swollen joint; most common in big toe

Etiology: Excessive accumulation of uric acid in a joint, forming needle-like crystals in the joint

Diagnosis: Aspiration of the joint to obtain and identify the crystals at a microscopic level TX is anti-inflammatory med and dier adjustments