Skeletal System Disorder

This basic framework provides the body with structure, protection, and movement, and it is made up of 206 bones. Blood cells are produced, minerals are stored, and hormones that are required for biological processes are released by the 206 bones in the body. To the contrary of other living organs, bones have their own blood supply and lymphatic vessels, as well as their own nervous system.

There are two types of tissue inside bones:

• Compact Bones: This strong and compact tissue makes up the outer covering of most bones as well as the primary shaft of long bones, such as those in the arms and legs, and is responsible for the strength and durability of the bones. This tissue contains nerves and blood vessels that function as a whole.
• Spongy bone: This tissue is made up of tiny plates packed with crimson bone marrow. It is located near the extremities of long bones, such the head of the femur, and at the core of other bones.

The red bone marrow produces the majority of the blood cells in the body and aids in the destruction of old blood cells. Yellow bone marrow is another form of marrow that is found in the inner chambers of long bones. It is primarily composed of fat. However, if the body loses a significant volume of blood, it can convert yellow marrow to red to produce additional red blood cells.

The skull is made up of 22 individual bones that join to form the cranium, which houses the brain. Sutures, or virtually hard fibrous joints, connect twenty-one of those bones. The mandible, or jawbone, is the skull’s lowest bone.

The spine, or spinal column, is a collection of unevenly formed bones that connects the back to the skull. Humans are born with 33 or 34 of these bones. However, as we mature, our bones merge, leaving adults with 26 distinct bones in their spines.

The rib cage consists of twelve pairs of bones that surround the essential organs in the chest. From the vertebral column at the back to the front of the body, the bones curve. The sternum, or chest bone, connects the upper seven pairs. The remaining five pairs are connected by cartilage or do not connect at all.

The clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), ulna, radius, humerus and the bones of the wrist and hand comprise the shoulders and arms muscles.

The pelvic bones are formed by the fusing of three bones—the ilium, ischium, and pubis—as we age. These bones comprise the majority of the pelvis near the base of the spine, as well as the hip joint socket. The sacrum—five fused bones at the base of the spine—and the coccyx, or tailbone, complete the pelvic region’s bones.

The head of the femur, the body’s largest and longest bone, forms the opposite half of the hip joint and extends down to form a portion of the knee. It begins with the leg bones. The tibia, fibula, and ankle and foot bones round up the leg bones.

The most frequent bone problem is fracture, which occurs when a bone is subjected to a force that causes it to shatter.

Other prevalent skeletal system disorders include the following:

• Osteoporosis: The disease in which bones become fragile and prone to fracture.
• Leukemia: This disease is also said to be the cancer of the white blood cells.
• Osteopenia, osteitis deformans, and osteomalacia: Similar to osteoporosis, these diseases are other types of bone loss.
• Scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis: These are disease which causes abnormalities of the spinal curve.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is an aging-related condition in which bones lose mass, become fragile, and fracture more easily than normal bones do. Bones can deteriorate to the point where they fracture under minor tension – or even spontaneously, without any stress at all. Osteoporosis is the most prevalent cause of broken bones in the elderly; however, it often presents with no symptoms until a bone fracture occurs. The most frequently broken bones are those in the wrist, hip, shoulder, and spine. When the thoracic vertebrae are involved, compression fractures can result in a progressive collapse of the vertebrae.

Causes of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in the production of bone by osteoblasts and the resorption of bone by osteoclasts. Normally, these two processes constantly remodel bones, with up to 10% of total bone mass undergoing remodelling at any given time. When these two processes are balanced, there is no net loss of bone. There are three primary mechanisms by which an imbalance between bone creation and resorption can develop, resulting in net bone loss.

• During the adolescent years, an individual never attains normal peak bone mass: If the peak level is lower than usual, there is less bone mass to begin with, increasing the likelihood of developing osteoporosis.
• There is higher bone resorption than normal: Usual bone resorption rises with age, although age-related bone resorption may be more than normal for a variety of reasons. One possible explanation is a calcium or vitamin D deficiency, which stimulates the parathyroid gland to release PTH, the hormone that stimulates osteoclast resorption.
• There is an insufficient amount of new bone production by osteoblasts during remodelling: Estrogen deficiency may impair the normal deposition of new bone. Inadequate calcium and vitamin D levels also contribute to osteoblasts’ poor bone growth.

Treatment and Prevention of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is frequently treated with medications that can help to slow or even stop bone loss. Bisphosphonates, for example, are frequently prescribed. Bisphosphonates slow bone breakdown, allowing bone reconstruction to keep up with remodelling. This aids in the maintenance of bone density and reduces the risk of fractures. The drugs may be more successful in people who have already fractured bones than in those who have not, greatly lowering their chance of refracturing. In general, patients should not be on bisphosphonates for longer than three or four years. There is no evidence that the advantage continues after this time period – in fact, there is a risk of unpleasant side effects.

Osteoporosis prevention entails removing any risk factors that can be altered through behavior changes. If you smoke, put it down. Reduce your alcohol consumption — or abstain entirely — if you drink. Consume a nutritious diet and ensure that you receive an adequate amount of vitamin D. Additionally, you should abstain from carbonated beverages.

Engage in regular exercise if you are a couch potato. Aerobic, weight-bearing, and resistance exercises all contribute to bone mineral density maintenance or increase. Exercise places strain on the bones, which promotes bone formation. Weight training, dancing, stair climbing, running, and hiking are all excellent weight-bearing exercises for bone development. Cycling and swimming are less beneficial due to the fact that they do not place stress on the bones. On most days of the week, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease caused by the destruction of cartilage and bone in the joints. Joint pain and stiffness are the most prevalent symptoms. Additionally, joint edoema and restricted range of motion may occur. At first, symptoms may occur primarily during exercise or prolonged activity, but over time, they may become chronic, impairing work and daily activities. The joints most frequently affected are those at the tips of the fingers, the bases of the thumbs, and those in the neck, lower back, hips, and knees. 

Causes of Osteoarthritis

OA is hypothesised to be caused by excessive mechanical stress on the joints combined with insufficient cartilage self-repair. Low-grade inflammation of the joints may worsen the stress, as cells lining the joint seek to eliminate breakdown products from cartilage in the synovial region. OA occurs over decades as a result of the progressive loss of articular cartilage caused by stress and inflammation. At some point, bones may lose their cartilage, causing them to rub against one another at joints. This wear and tear on the bones’ articular surfaces adds to the pain and other symptoms of OA. Movement may be restricted as a result of the pain, resulting in muscle loss as well.