Musculoskeletal System: Common Conditions and Assessment Techniques

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation of synovial tissues, leading to fibrosis and destruction of bone and cartilage.

What are common risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?

Female sex and age between 30 to 60 years, though it can occur at any age.

What are the significant findings in rheumatoid arthritis?

Decreased range of motion, symmetric and bilateral joint deformities, joint heat, redness, and swelling.

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

An autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the vertebrae, leading to fusion of vertebral joints.

What symptoms are associated with ankylosing spondylitis?

Dull lower back and buttock pain, morning stiffness, decreased cervical and lumbar curvature, and increased thoracic curvature (kyphosis).

What is osteoarthritis?

A non-inflammatory, localized progressive disorder characterized by deterioration of articular cartilage and remodeling of joint surface bone due to wear and tear.

What are common risk factors for developing osteoarthritis?

Old age, female sex, obesity, genetics, and history of prior joint injury.

How does osteoarthritis typically present?

Decreased range of motion, asymmetric joint stiffness, swelling, and bony protuberances, often affecting hands, knees, hips, lumbar spine, and cervical spine.

What is osteoporosis?

A condition characterized by decreased skeletal bone mass and low bone mineral density, leading to porous and weak bones.

Who is at the highest risk for osteoporosis?

Postmenopausal elderly white women, women with early menopause, those with small stature, and individuals with a sedentary lifestyle.

What are the key findings in osteoporosis?

Abnormal bone mineral density, leading to increased risk for wrist, hip, and vertebral fractures.

What is olecranon bursitis?

Inflammation of the olecranon bursa in the elbow, often appearing as a swelling resembling a ping pong ball or goose egg.

What are rheumatoid nodules?

Firm, raised granulomatous lesions that may develop along small blood vessels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, typically over pressure points.

What is epicondylitis?

Inflammation of the medial or lateral epicondyle of the humerus, often due to repetitive motion injuries.

What is a ganglion cyst?

A cyst that forms over a tendon sheath or joint capsule, usually on the dorsal aspect of the wrist, often caused by repetitive micro-traumas.

What are Dupuytren's contractures?

Flexion contractures of the digits due to chronic hyperplasia of the palmar fascia, leading to permanent flexion of the fingers.

What are swan neck and boutonniere deformities?

Deformities in the joints of the fingers seen in chronic rheumatoid arthritis; swan neck involves hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joint and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint, while boutonniere is the opposite.

What is ulnar deviation or ulnar drift?

A condition where the fingers drift towards the ulna due to stretching of the articular capsule and muscle imbalance, commonly seen in chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

What deformities are associated with rheumatoid arthritis?

Swan neck and boutonniere deformities.

What characterizes a boutonniere deformity?

Flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint and hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal joint.

What is Dupuytren contracture?

A condition characterized by a tight band in the palm and puckering of the skin, often affecting the ring finger.

What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?

A painful swelling of the tibial tuberosity, typically seen in active adolescents due to overuse injuries.

What causes the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Traction and microtrauma on the bone from activities like running and cycling, leading to inflammation.

What is gout?

A condition caused by the precipitation of sodium urate crystals in and around joints, leading to inflammation and pain.

What are tophi in chronic gout?

Solid crystals that form in the joints, causing painful swelling and deformity.

What is hallux valgus?

Outward deviation of the first toe with medial prominence of the head of the first metatarsal.

What is a bunion?

Inflammation at the pressure point of the medial prominence in hallux valgus.

What is a plantar wart?

A wart caused by HPV, characterized by small dark spots and extreme pain, typically found on the soles of the feet.

What are the three types of joints?

Fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints, and synovial joints.

What are fibrous joints?

Joints joined by fibrous tissue, typically immobile, such as sutures of the skull.

What are cartilaginous joints?

Joints connected by fibrocartilaginous tissue, allowing slight movement, such as intervertebral discs.

What are synovial joints?

The most mobile joints, characterized by a joint cavity lined with synovial membrane and filled with synovial fluid.

What is the function of synovial fluid?

To lubricate joints and facilitate smooth movement between articulating bones.

What role do ligaments play in joints?

Ligaments connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints by preventing undesirable movements.

What are bursa?

Sacs filled with synovial fluid that provide cushioning and reduce friction in joints.

What is the anatomical position?

A standard position of the body where the body stands upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.

What is flexion?

A movement that decreases the angle between two body parts.

What is extension?

A movement that increases the angle between two body parts.

What is flexion in joint movement?

Flexion involves closing the angle of a joint, making it smaller.

What is extension in joint movement?

Extension is increasing the angle of a joint.

What is hyperextension?

Hyperextension is increasing the angle of a joint beyond 180 degrees.

What does abduction refer to in anatomical terms?

Abduction involves moving a limb away from the midline of the body.

What does adduction refer to in anatomical terms?

Adduction involves moving a limb back towards the midline of the body.

How can you remember the difference between abduction and adduction?

Think of abduction as 'alien abduction' pulling away from the center.

What is pronation?

Pronation is the rotation of the forearm or foot so that the palm or sole faces downward.

What is supination?

Supination is the rotation of the forearm or foot so that the palm or sole faces upward.

What is circumduction?

Circumduction is a circular movement of a limb or body part.

What is inversion in relation to the ankle?

Inversion is turning the ankle inward towards the midline.

What is eversion in relation to the ankle?

Eversion is turning the ankle outward away from the midline.

What is rotation in anatomical terms?

Rotation is the movement of a bone around its long axis.

What is protraction?

Protraction is moving a body part forward, such as sticking the jaw out.

What is retraction?

Retraction is moving a body part backward, such as pulling the jaw in.

What does elevation refer to in body movement?

Elevation refers to raising a body part, such as shrugging the shoulders.

What does depression refer to in body movement?

Depression refers to lowering a body part, such as opening the jaw.

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

There are 7 cervical vertebrae.

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

There are 12 thoracic vertebrae.

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

There are 5 lumbar vertebrae.

What is the typical number of sacral vertebrae?

There are typically 5 fused sacral vertebrae.

What is the coccyx, and how many vertebrae does it typically have?

The coccyx varies from 3 to 5 fused vertebrae.

What is the spinous process of C7 and T1 significant for?

It serves as a landmark for palpating the cervical and thoracic spine.

What is the normal curvature of the cervical spine?

The cervical spine has a concave curvature.

What is the normal curvature of the thoracic spine?

The thoracic spine has a convex curvature.

What is the normal curvature of the lumbar spine?

The lumbar spine has a concave curvature.

What is the normal curvature of the sacrum and coccyx?

The sacrum and coccyx have a convex curvature.

What are intervertebral discs?

Elastic fibrocartilaginous discs between the vertebrae that help maintain posture and absorb shock.

What can happen with over-compression of intervertebral discs?

It can lead to bulging or herniation of the disc.

What is herniation in the context of intervertebral discs?

It occurs when the nucleus pulposus herniates out, potentially putting pressure on spinal nerves and causing pain.

How does bulging differ from herniation?

Bulging involves slight protrusion without the nucleus pulposus herniating out, usually causing less severe symptoms.

What is flexion in spinal movement?

Bending forward, decreasing the angle between the body parts.

What is extension in spinal movement?

Returning to a straight position, increasing the angle between body parts.

What is abduction in joint movement?

Moving a limb away from the midline of the body.

What is adduction?

Moving a limb toward the midline of the body.

What is rotation in joint movement?

Turning a body part around its long axis.

What bones make up the shoulder girdle?

The proximal humerus, scapula, and clavicle.

What is the Glenohumeral joint?

The joint where the humeral head interacts with the glenoid fossa of the scapula.

What movements can the shoulder perform?

Flexion, extension, hyperextension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, and rotation.

What is the elbow's primary function?

Flexion and extension, with some ability for rotation (pronation and supination).

What are the carpal bones?

The small bones of the wrist.

What is the difference between ulnar deviation and radial deviation?

Ulnar deviation moves the wrist towards the pinky, while radial deviation moves it towards the thumb.

What is the hip joint's structure?

A ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head and the acetabulum of the pelvis.

What movements are possible at the hip?

Flexion, extension, hyperextension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, and rotation.

What bones articulate at the knee joint?

The distal femur, patella, and proximal tibia.

What are the main movements of the knee?

Flexion and extension.

What ligaments stabilize the knee?

Cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) and collateral ligaments (medial and lateral).

What is the ankle joint made up of?

The articulation of the fibula and tibia with the talus of the foot.

What are the two primary movements of the ankle?

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

What are the metacarpophalangeal joints?

The joints connecting the metacarpal bones of the hand to the phalanges (fingers).

What are the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints?

The joints between the phalanges of the fingers, with proximal being the first knuckle and distal being the furthest.

What is dorsiflexion?

Movement of the foot towards the dorsum (top) of the foot.

What is plantar flexion?

Movement of the foot pointing away from the body.

What type of joint allows for flexion and extension of the toes?

Metatarsophalangeal joints.

What are epiphyses in relation to long bones?

Growth plates located at the ends of long bones that allow for longitudinal growth.

At what age does the last epiphysis closure typically occur?

Around age 20.

What condition is characterized by excess growth hormone before epiphysis closure?

Gigantism.

What condition occurs after epiphysis closure due to excess growth hormone?

Acromegaly.

What is lordosis?

The normal curvature of the lumbar spine, which can become exaggerated during pregnancy.

What condition is commonly associated with older adults and involves decreased bone density?

Osteoporosis.

What causes osteoporosis in older adults?

An imbalance in bone remodeling, where bone resorption exceeds bone formation.

What is kyphosis?

Increased curvature of the thoracic spine, often seen in older adults.

What happens to intervertebral discs as people age?

They thin, contributing to decreased height and changes in posture.