Musculo Skeletal

MUSCULO SKELETAL

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Osteoporosis

1. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a very common chronic disorder involving the joints. It is a degenerative change in the joints. The degenerative changes take place because the rubbing of the joint surfaces causes a wearing away and disintegration of the tissues.

Causes and Risk factors

Age: people above the age of 45 have the risk for developing osteoarthritis. It is, however, most commonly found in people over age of 65.

Gender: This disease of osteoarthritis is more common in women, particularly after the age of 55

Obesity: This can be one of the causes for osteoarthritis as every kilogram puts three extra kilogram of pressure on knees

Injury : Joint injuries are an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis

Weakness of muscles: Weak thigh muscles lead to osteoarthritis knee joint pain.

Signs & Symptoms

·            Knee pain

·            Swelling

·            Joint stiffness

·            Loss of movement

Investigation

·            X–ray of affected joints

·            Serum CRP

·            Serum ESR, RA factor

Management

Medical management:

·            Analgesics

·            Exercise to strengthen muscles

Surgical management:

·            Arthodesis (practised earlier)

·            TKR (Total Knee Replacement)

·           Use knee cap supports

·           Use hot water formentation to relieve pain

·           Wear comfortable, fitting shoes to reduce stress on joints

·            Walk regularly to keep yourself active, it helps to avoid stiffness

·            Maintain a healthy weight to reduce strain and pain in your knee

·           Don’t lift heavy weights, it puts stress on the knees

·           Don’t sit cross- legged

·           Avoid prolonged activities that put strain on the knee like gardening

·           Avoid jerky movements

·            Don’t smoke. Research shows that smoking leads to joint pain along with other damaging effects

2.   Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, which can lead to increased risk of fracture.

Risk factors

·            Genetics

·            Lack of exercise

·            Lack of calcium and vitamin D₃  Diet calcium / vitamin D deficiency

·            Osteoporosis means “porous bones”

Signs and Symptoms

·            Pain

·            Height loss or dull pain in the bones or muscles

·            Swelling

·            Redness

·            Limited movement

Pathophysiology

Osteoporosis is a reduction in skeletal mass caused by an imbalance between bone reabsorption and bone formation. A change in either that is increased bone reabsorption or decreased bone formation may result is osteoporosis.

Investigation

·            Blood: Test Calcium & Phosphorus

·            BMD

·            X–ray

Causes of Osteoporosis

·            Low calcium diet

·            Lack of physical activity

·            Family history

·            Women are more likely to develop osteoposis

·            Hypercalciuria

·            Anticonvulsant medications

·            Hyperthyroidism

·            Hyper parathyroidism

·            Neoplastic disease – cancer

Management

·            Medication – vitamins and calcium  Dietary supplements  Weight bearing exercises