Musculoskeletal System Overview and Key Concepts

Synovial and non-synovial

The two types of joints.

Synovial fluid

Lubricates the joint to allow smooth movement.

Tendon

What connects muscle to bone.

Ligament

What connects bone to bone and stabilizes joints.

Bursa

A fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline.

Forward bend test

What test is used to screen for scoliosis in adolescents.

Bone resorption

Begins to exceed bone formation around age 40.

Common musculoskeletal changes in aging

Decreased height, kyphosis, loss of subcutaneous fat, decreased ROM.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disease causing symmetrical joint inflammation.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease, often asymmetrical, worsens with use.

Gout

Uric acid crystal buildup causing joint inflammation, usually in the big toe.

Bursitis

Inflammation of the bursa due to repetitive motion.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Median nerve compression in the wrist causing numbness and tingling.

Rotator cuff tear

Shoulder injury involving tendon damage, limiting abduction.

Muscle strength grading

On a scale of 0 to 5.

5/5 muscle strength

Full strength against resistance.

McMurray test

Assesses meniscal tear in the knee.

Straight leg raise test

Assesses herniated lumbar disc or sciatica.

Leg length discrepancy assessment

Measure from anterior superior iliac spine to medial malleolus.

Phalen's test

Flexing wrists together to test for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tinel's sign

Tapping over the median nerve to elicit tingling in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Drop arm test

Assessing the ability to lower arm from abduction; tests rotator cuff.

Heberden nodes

OA-related bony swellings at distal finger joints.

Bouchard nodes

OA-related bony swellings at proximal finger joints.

Swan-neck deformity

RA deformity with PIP hyperextension and DIP flexion.

Boutonnière deformity

RA deformity with PIP flexion and DIP hyperextension.

Kyphosis

Exaggerated thoracic spinal curvature.

Lordosis

Exaggerated lumbar spinal curvature.

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine.

Genu varum

Bowlegs.

Genu valgum

Knock-knees.

Syndactyly

Webbed or fused fingers or toes.

Polydactyly

Extra fingers or toes.