musculoskeletal system Flashcards
parts of, and function of, the musculoskeletal system?
bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, tendons - musculoskeletal system provides support and gives us the ability to move
two parts of the skeleton?
axial part, appendicular part
parts of the axial skeleton?
skull, sternum, ribs, vertebral column.
what causes fractures?
trauma; can occur in healthy bone or diseased bone
aims of fracture treatment?
aims to realign bone to allow good function after healing, achieved with a plaster cast and sometimes surgery.
describe the healing process of fractures;
ruptured blood vessels cause haematoma to fill the fracture gap, and a fibrin meshwork to allow formation of granulation tissue. inflammatory cells then release cytokines to activate osteoblasts and osteoclasts - development of a callous occurs in 1 week. bone deposition then strengthens callous.
what is a callous?
the development of a cartilage cap
obstacles that prevent healing?
misalignment, immobilised area, infection, dead bone
what is osteoporosis?
a disease in bone mass and density, potentially leading to fractures.
what causes osteoporosis?
imbalance between resorption and bone production, inadequate peak bone mass, excess bone resorption, inadequate bone production, lack of oestrogen, calcium metabolism, vitamin D deficiency.
describe arthritis?
inflammation of a joint, characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and causing restricted movement
what is arthropathy?
joint disease or disorder.
describe osteoarthritis?
most common form of arthritis, associated with increasing age and obesity. usually occurs n weight-baring joints.
risk factors for osteoarthritis?
age, female, menopause, obesity, joint deformity, excess mechanical stress, genetic susceptibility, hypermobility.
features of osteoarthritis?
morning stiffness, pain, reduced movement and mobility, joint effusions (fluid), crepitus
where do osteophytes form?
beneath the soft tissue nodes.
describe the pathogenesis for rheumatoid arthritis?
rheumatoid factors help form immune complexes in the circulation; causes inflammation in the synovium; synovial membranes thicken; chronic inflammation leads to cartilage and joint destruction
features of rheumatoid arthritis?
affects small joints, hands, feet. causes pain, swelling, deformity, fever, fatigue. joints are often stiff without prior activity
diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
need 4 of; morning stiffness, arthritis in three+ joints, arthritis of typical hand joints, symmetric arthritis, rheumatoid nodules, serum rheumatoid factor, radiographic changes
describe crystal athropathy?
associated with intra-articular crystal formation; e.g. gout and pseud-gout.
what is gout?
raised uric acid, urate is deposited as crystals in the joints.
how is uric acid produced?
by the breakdown of purine bases by the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is usually excreted by the kidneys
features of gout?
sudden onset of excruciating burning hot pain, redness, warmth, tenderness, stiffness. usually first affects big toe.
describe pseudo-gout?
calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease; precipitation of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in connective tissues. crystals in cartilage can enlarge and rupture, causing crystal shedding into joint cavity of soft tissues.
