Diagnosing Bone and Joint Injuries

Key Concepts1. What are some injuries of the

skeletal system, and how can they be identified?

2. How can bone and joint injuries be treated?

Key Terms

Fracture Sprain Dislocation X-ray Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Arthritis Arthroscope

Common Skeletal System Injuries

Fracture – break in the bone Simple – bone is

cracked or completely broken in two or more pieces

Compound – broken ends of the bone stick out through the skin

Dislocation Occurs when the

end of a bone comes out of its joint.

Sometimes a doctor can put it back in place

Sometimes surgery is required

Sprain Occurs when

ligaments are stretched too far and tear in places

Sprains of the ankle are the most common joint injury

Identifying Injuries X-rays – form of energy that travels in

waves like visible light To take x-rays – need a lead apron to protect the

rest of your body from unnecessary exposure, an x-ray machine and photographic film.

X-rays pass through soft tissues but are absorbed by bone. The x-rays do not reach the photographic film on the other side. After the film is developed, the bones show up as clearly defined white areas

Limitations of X-Rays

Cannot be used to directly view injuries to soft tissues like organs

The energy in x-rays can damage your body cells

Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)

Method for taking clear pictures of both bones and soft tissues

MRI scanner – large machine that contains electromagnets

The person is exposed to short bursts of magnetic energy which makes the atoms in the body vibrate, or resonate.

The computer analyzes the vibration pattern and makes an image

MRI Advantages and disadvantages

Images are very sharp and clear Can produce images at any body

angle No evidence that it harms cells MRI machines are expensive to buy

and use – not normally used to identify possible broken bones

Treating Injuries

Casts – Treat broken bones by immobilizing the fracture

Joint Replacement Joint replacement – often used to treat arthritis.

When movement becomes extremely painful or impossible, the joint is replaced with an artificial one made of metal or plastic

Arthroscopy Arthroscopy – uses an arthroscope to diagnose and

treat joint injuries Arthroscope is a slim, tube-shaped instrument with a

camera attached. It is inserted through a small incision and projects

images onto a computer monitor. After the problem is diagnosed, other small instruments are inserted into additional small incisions to repair the problem