Mosculoskeletal Disease

Exploring Musculoskeletal Disorders: Understanding Causes and Conditions

The musculoskeletal system is the framework that provides structure, support, and movement to the human body. However, like any complex system, it is susceptible to various ailments that can impede its function and cause discomfort. In this educational journey, we delve into four prevalent diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system and unravel the factors contributing to their occurrence.

Muscle disease:

https://smart.servier.com/smart_image/musculature-front

1. Tendonitis

Definition

Tendinitis is inflammation of the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. These cords are called tendons. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. Tendinitis can occur in any tendon. But it's most common around shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and heels. Most tendinitis can be treated with rest, physical therapy and medicine to reduce pain. Long-lasting tendon inflammation can cause a tendon to tear. A torn tendon might need surgery.

Tendons are tough, flexible bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Tendons can be small, like the delicate bands in the hands, or large, like the ropelike cords that anchor the calf or thigh muscles. When tendons become inflamed, irritated or suffer microscopic tears, the condition is called tendonitis. In most cases, the cause of tendonitis is unknown; when a cause can be identified, the condition usually happens for one of two reasons:

1. overuse – a particular body motion is repeated too often.

2. overload – the level of a certain activity, such as weightlifting, is increased too quickly

Caused:

Tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury. But repeating the same movement over time is a much more likely cause. Most people develop tendinitis because their jobs or hobbies involve motions that they repeat, over and over. This puts stress on tendons.

Moving correctly is especially important when having to repeat movements for sports or a job. Moving incorrectly can overload the tendon and lead to tendinitis.

Treatment:

The quicker tendonitis is treated, the sooner recovery can begin.

A first step in treatment may rest. Not using the affected muscles and tendons for a few days to a few weeks gives the body time to repair itself. For example, people with golfer's elbow usually need to rest the affected elbow for at least one month.

Ice is another treatment. Apply ice packs to the painful area for 20-minute periods, three or four times a day. You also should ice the area immediately after any activity that aggravates your pain, such as tennis or running. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin can relieve pain and swelling.

Depending on the location and severity of the tendonitis, you may to wear a splint, brace, or sling for a short time. It is important to gently and regularly move the joint to avoid getting a stiff, or "frozen," joint. This is particularly important for tendonitis involving the shoulder.

If tendonitis will be serious, a physical therapist may be able to give the specialized local treatments such as deep heat treatments using ultrasound, friction massage, or water therapy to improve joint mobility. A physical therapist can also guide patient through a rehabilitation program to help patient to regain strength, motion, and function.

Surgery is rarely needed to treat tendonitis. It is an option mainly when tendonitis doesn't respond to other treatments or when there is significant tendon damage that is unlikely to improve with any other treatment.

https://www.stoneclinic.com/blog/tendonitis-or-not

2. Muscular Dystrophy

Definition

Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.

There are many kinds of muscular dystrophy. Symptoms of the most common variety begin in childhood, mostly in boys. Other types don't surface until adulthood. There's no cure for muscular dystrophy. But medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.

Causes:

MD is caused by changes (mutations) in the genes responsible for the structure and functioning of a person's muscles. The mutations cause changes in the muscle fibres that interfere with the muscles' ability to function. Over time, this causes increasing disability.

Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic mutation particular to that type of the disease. Most of these mutations are inherited.

People with MD progressively lose muscle function, which can affect breathing. In many forms of MD, the heart muscle also is affected, which can lead to cardiac failure.

Treatments:

Available treatments are aimed at keeping people independent for as long as possible and preventing complications that can arise from muscle weakness, reduced mobility, and heart and breathing difficulties. Treatment may involve a combination of approaches, including physical therapy, drug therapy, and surgery.
• Drug therapy may be prescribed to delay muscle degeneration in muscular dystrophies. There are several drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat individuals with DMD (given orally or by injection). Steroids, such as prednisone and deflazacort, and immunosuppressive drugs can help slow the rate of muscle deterioration and damage to muscle cells, but some carry side effects that can be especially troubling in children. There are also drugs available to treat the symptoms of MD, including myotonia (muscle spasms and weakness). Breathing symptoms may be treated with antibiotics.
• Physical therapy can help improve movement and keep a person’s muscles as flexible and strong as possible. Passive stretching can also support join flexibility and prevent contractures.
• Speech therapy can help people with weakened facial and throat muscles communicate.

• Regular, moderate exercise and/or physical activity can help people with MD maintain muscle function and mobility.
• Deep breathing and coughing exercises can help people with MD who are having breathing problems.
• Support aids such as wheelchairs, splints, braces, spinal supports, and posture correction devises can counter muscle weakness and help people with MD maintain mobility.
• No dietary supplements, specific foods, or specific diets have been shown to slow the progression of MD. People with MD should eat well as a way to support their overall health. People with MD who have trouble swallowing may need to use special techniques for feeding.
• Corrective surgery can ease complications from MD, including tendon or muscle release surgery for contractures, pacemakers for heart problems, surgery to reduce scoliosis-related pain or postural imbalance, and cataract surgery for eye problems.

• Assisted ventilation is often needed to treat respiratory muscle weakness that accompanies many forms of MD, especially in the later stages.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/genetic-diseases/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-muscular-dystrophy

Skeletal Disease:

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1. Scoliosis

Definition

Scoliosis is a spinal disorder characterized by the lateral curvature of the spine, often forming a C or S shape. It is more commonly observed in children but can affect individuals of any age. The condition may occur without a known cause (idiopathic) or be triggered by factors such as aging-related spinal joint wear, congenital abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders, injuries, infections, or defects in the spine.

Symptoms:

- The curved appearance of the spine

-   One shoulder that is higher than the other
-   A more prominent hip
-   One shoulder blade that appears more prominent
-   The body leans to one side
-   Uneven waist height
- Pain in the lower back

- Stiffness of the back, and muscle tension.

Treatment:

- Treatment for children

Treatment is not necessary for mild scoliosis in children because the spine can still return straight with age. Children with more severe scoliosis will be advised to use a spinal brace. Although braces cannot correct bone deformities, they can prevent spinal curvature from becoming more severe. These supports are usually made of plastic and are adapted to the shape of the body so that they are almost invisible when worn under clothes. Children are usually asked to use braces throughout the day, except when exercising, and their use can be stopped after spinal growth stops, such as two years after menstruation begins for girls or when physical growth stops in boys.

- Treatment for adults

For adults with severe scoliosis that causes back pain, medical therapy may include administering pain medication or corticosteroid injections in the spinal cavity to reduce inflammation and pain. For very severe cases, surgery may be necessary, such as bone fusion surgery or laminectomy surgery to relieve pressure on the affected nerve. The healing time after surgery usually takes up to a year or more, with the risk of complications such as shifting or damage to the implant, infection, blood clots, or nerve damage.

If not treated properly, scoliosis that gets worse can lead to chronic back pain, posture problems that affect self-confidence, and even disorders of the heart, lungs, or spinal cord. Although most cases of scoliosis cannot be prevented, people with degenerative scoliosis can undergo a program of light aerobic exercise and core strength training regularly to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles and help straighten the spine. Children are also encouraged to undergo routine scoliosis screening during the secondary school years to detect scoliosis as early as possible.

https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/family-medicine/scoliosis-types

2. Osteoporosis

Definisi

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by reduced bone mass, leading to thin, weak, and brittle bones. While not usually life-threatening, it significantly increases the risk of fractures, particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist bones. It can also result in complications such as kyphosis, or a rounded back, due to compression fractures in the spine.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of osteoporosis may not be apparent until a fracture occurs. However, advanced stages may manifest as a rounded back (kyphosis), which is a sign of compression fractures in the spine. Fractures due to osteoporosis can occur from minor injuries such as coughing, sneezing, or tripping after losing balance. Individuals with osteoporosis may experience limitations in daily activities and a reduced quality of life due to the complications of fractures.

Treatment:

- Lifestyle Changes:
Quit smoking to reduce bone cell damage and accelerate bone breakdown.
Limit alcohol intake to prevent interactions with bone-forming cells.
Engage in balance, flexibility, and strength-strengthening exercises to stimulate estrogen production and bone formation.

Consume foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products, nuts, dark green vegetables, and fortified products, to support bone health.

- Medication:

Medications such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide, and baloparatide may be prescribed to increase bone density and strength.
Estrogen therapy can help protect the skeleton by increasing calcium absorption and preventing bone cell death.

Treatment aims to build bone mass, increase bone strength, and prevent further bone loss. However, treatment effectiveness may vary, and options should be discussed with a healthcare provider based on individual needs and preferences.