Skeletal System Disorders

Osteoporosis

• Affects 25 million Americans, 80% are women

• Most often seen in post-menopausal, white women

• The mineral density of the bone is reduced leaving the bones thinner, porous and susceptible to fracture

• Person loses calcium and phophorous

Bone Loss

• Bone at age 33

Bone Loss

• Bone at age 55

Bone Loss

• Bone at age 75

Treatment for Osteoporosis

• Aimed at preventing or slowing down the process:– Adequate calcium intake

– Regular exercise

– Estrogen (hormone supplement) for post-menopausal women

– Avoid high sodium & potassium diets

– Bone density studies

Fractures

• A break in the bone

Types of Fractures

• Closed/Simple-Bone breaks but does not pierce the skin

Open/Compound Fracture

Open/CompoundPierces through the skin—need to be concerned with infection

Greenstick Fracture

• Common in children

• Bone is bent but never separates

Comminuted Fracture

• bone is splintered or broken into many pieces

Ways to Treat FracturesWays to Treat Fractures

1. Closed reduction-bone fragments are brought into alignment by manipulation and a cast is applied to immobilize the bone

2. Open Reduction- Surgical intervention where devises such as wires, plates or screws are used to hold the bone in alignment and cast or splint is applied

3. Traction- A pulling force is used to hold the bone in place (used for fractures of the long bone)

Sprain

• An injury to a joint caused by anysudden or unusual motion

• Occurs most often to a joint while running

• Often occurs with damaged ligaments

• Signs: Swelling and pain in the joint area

Treatment for a Sprain

• R-I-C-E• R: Rest• I: Ice to decrease

swelling• C: Compression (with

an ace bandage)• E: Elevate to decrease

swelling

STRAIN• overstretching

or tearing a muscle

• Tx—PRICE:protection rest, ice, compression and elevation

Dislocation

• Bone displaced from proper position in joint

ARTHROSCOPY

• examination into joint using arthroscope with fiber optic lens

• most knee injuries treated with arthroscopy.

Arthritis

• Inflammation of one or more joints

• Also called osteoarthritis

Abnormal Curvatures of the Spine

• When the spine has a curvature different from the norm

• Kyphosis• Lordosis• Scoliosis

Kyphosis

• AKA: Hunchback• A humped curvature

in the thoracic curvature of the spine

Lordosis

• AKA: Swayback• Exaggerated inward

curvature in the lumbar region of the spine just above the sacrum

Scoliosis

• A side-to-side or lateral curvature of the spine causing 1 shoulder to be lower than the other

Treatment for Abnormal Curvatures

1. Exercise

2. Back brace

3. Insertion of a metal rod

Arthritis• Inflammation of the joints

• Most commonly seen in the hand and knee joints

Arthritis Treatment

• Medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.

• A real exercise program—swimming, golf, walking, tennis, range-of-motion exercises (such as stretching)

• Physical therapy

The End