امراض سريرية 2 (محاضرة 7)

Bone and Joints disorders
8 Common Disorders That Affect the Bones and Joints

Bones and joints play a pivotal role in giving the body its physical capabilities,
including a wide range of movements. Clearly, bone and joint health are
valuable investments, especially toward one’s senior years. Neglecting them
could result in chronic pains and potential disability.
Difference Between Bones and Joints
While bones and joints have a linked relationship and function almost
similarly in the body, these two (2) are distinct.
Bones are living tissue made up of collagen and calcium phosphate, making
them strong yet flexible. This composition provides shape and support to the
body. Aside from contributing to the body’s movement, bones also act as a
shield for softer organs, best demonstrated by the ribs in the chest for the
heart and lungs, and the skull protecting the brain. Bones also serve as
storage for minerals and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Joints are areas where two or more bones meet, comprising several types of
tissues, such as cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments, tendons, and
meniscus, as well as a fluid that enables mobility in the joint.
Common Bone Disorders
1. Osteoporosis
This common disease occurs when bones become weak due to changes in bone
mineral density and mass, causing a higher risk for fractures. Osteoporosis
is known as a “silent” disease as there are no obvious symptoms until a bone
actually breaks. These fractures can occur anywhere, but typically in the hip,
spine, and wrist.
Although anyone can develop this disease, osteoporosis is more prevalent in
older women. Aside from aging, additional risk factors include being of small
stature, family history, certain medications, and having low bone density.
2. Fracture
A fracture is a break in a bone which occurs when it is put under sudden or
very strong pressure or force. This covers falls, a direct impact on the body,
and sports-related injuries.
People at high risk of getting fractures are the elderly, individuals with
osteoporosis and endocrine or intestinal disorders, and those taking
corticosteroids. There are several types of fractures but are usually classified
as closed or open, and incomplete or complete.
 Closed/Open fractures
A closed or simple fracture is when the broken bone does not break the skin.
Conversely, an open or compound fracture happens when the ends of a
fractured bone tear through the skin. Open fractures that expose the bone
and other tissues put the injured at greater risk of infection.
 Incomplete/Complete fractures
Incomplete fractures are when the bone cracks without breaking completely,
keeping it in one piece. Complete fractures, meanwhile, happen when the
bone is snapped or crushed into two or more pieces.
Both types have a slew of variations, depending on how the bone breaks and
its condition after breakage.
3. Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine resulting in an S or C shape.
The disorder often occurs in a child’s growth spurt before puberty, with cases
usually diagnosed in the first seven years. In around 80% of scoliosis cases,
no identifiable causes are found, though it may happen due to birth defects,
neurological abnormalities, and genetic conditions.
Symptoms of scoliosis depend on the severity of the condition, including
having one shoulder blade higher or more protrusive than the other, uneven
hips, a rotating spine, breathing problems, and back pain.
4. Paget’s disease
Paget’s disease is a chronic disorder that affects the way that bones break
down and regrow. This results in excessive breakdown and regrowth, leading
to bones that are bigger and softer than usual. Paget’s disease may also cause
bones to grow misshapen and more prone to fracturing.
Symptoms of Paget’s disease rarely manifest, and when they do, they can be
similar to that of arthritis. These include pain in the affected area, headaches
and hearing loss (if the disorder affects the skull), pressure on the nerves (if
the skull or spine is affected), damage to the cartilage in the joints, increased
head size, limb bowing, and spine curvature.
Common Joint Disorders
1. Osteoarthritis
One of the most common joint disorders, osteoarthritis arises when the
cartilage between two joints is worn down. This causes the bones in the joint
to rub together, causing swelling and stiffness in the area.
Symptoms typically occur way into adulthood, with the average person over
60 displaying some of the symptoms. Risk factors for this disorder include
age, weight, frequency and intensity of joint activity, sports that directly
affect the joint, and family history.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that
causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy cells mistakenly, leading
to inflammation or painful swelling in the affected area. It can attack multiple
joints at once, usually the hands, wrists, and knees, and damage the joint
tissue, leading to chronic pain, lack of balance or instability, and deformities.
Signs of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and stiffness in multiple joints, as
well as tenderness and swelling. These will occur symmetrically on both sides
of the body, like in both wrists or both knees. Other symptoms are weight
loss, fever, fatigue, and weakness.
While the primary cause of the disorder is unknown, factors like age, gender,
genetics, exposure to smoking at a young age, and obesity have been linked
to an increased risk of contracting it.
3. Gout
Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis marked by intense pain
and caused by too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid crystals build up in
the joints and surrounding tissues in the body. This disorder typically affects
one joint at a time, usually the one connecting the big toe. Other commonly
afflicted joints are the lesser toe joints, ankles, and knees.
Symptoms like intense pain, swelling, redness, and heat are known to get
worse (“flares”) or disappear (“remission”) entirely. Repeated instances of
gout may lead to gouty arthritis, a severe form of arthritis.
Increased risk factors include gender, obesity, certain health conditions, use
of certain medications like diuretics, an increased intake of alcohol and high-
fructose food and drink, and a purine-rich diet.
4. Bursitis
This disorder is characterized by the inflammation of the bursa, the small
fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion between the bone and other moving
parts like muscles, tendons, joints, or skin. The bursa may turn red and
increase in fluid content, leading to painful swelling.
Bursitis is caused by overuse or an increased activity level involving the joint.
Trauma or a complication from rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection may
also be a culprit, although there are cases of bursitis where no cause can be
determined.
Symptoms include pain and tenderness when pressing around the joint,
stiffness and aches when moving the afflicted joint, and swelling, warmth, or
redness over the joint itself.
Treatment and Prevention
Treating various bone and joint diseases will depend on their nature.
Fractures will need emergency medical attention, and if the injury is severe,
it may require surgery. Other disorders may require surgery as well, or
medication for less severe or chronic afflictions. Bracing, orthopedics
center visits, physical medical rehabilitation, and lifestyle and behavioral
changes are also recommended.
In most cases, living a healthier lifestyle is the best one can do to prevent the
onset of these conditions. Eating a well-balanced diet, engaging in regular
exercise, and getting the recommended doses of vitamins and minerals can
go a long way in strengthening and maintaining one’s bones and joints.
Make Bone and Joint Health a Priority
Bones and joints let people move and go about their daily lives, making it
vital to keep them in good health. Some of the most common bone and joint
diseases are avoidable or can be minimized through healthy lifestyle and
early detection.
For any bone and joint health concerns, reach out to Makati Medical Center
for top-notch professional medical testing and services

امراض سريرية 2 (محاضرة 7)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

امراض سريرية 2 (محاضرة 7)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

امراض سريرية 2 (محاضرة 7)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bone and Joints disorders

8 Common Disorders That Affect the Bones and Joints

You might also like