Common Disorders of the Skeletal System

The skeletal system is biological system that serves as the framework of each living organism. The skeletal system has many functions including supporting, allowing and organizing body movements and protecting specific sensitive internal body parts such as the brain. It can also produce blood cells and can serve as a storage area for minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Moreover, the skeletal system shapes and gives form to our body. Furthermore, the skeletal system plays an integral part in our biological component and it should always be protected from diseases and other conditions.

Certain measures should be made in order to prevent those medical disorders. Hence, the following are the most common skeletal system disorders and some information that can be helpful in preventing or curing the diseases.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a joint disorder characterized by pain in the joints which connects the bones in our skeletal system. The patient who has arthritis often suffers from restricted motion and swelling of the skin overlying the affected joints. Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions suffered by middle aged people and elders.

Basically, there are many forms of arthritis and similar rheumatism. It numbers more than one hundred but the most common of which are Osteo Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Arthritis can be caused by other complications like tuberculosis and gout.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease which is caused by loss of bone tissue. This condition can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures and ligament failures.

Osteoporosis can be a result of relative disease such as hyperparathyroidism or an unhealthy, large intake of protein. It can also be caused by both the absence and the over presence of exercise in one’s lifestyle.

Women who are in their post menopausal stage are the ones who are most likely to have osteoporosis. However, everyone can be a victim of this skeletal system disorder. Osteoporosis can be prevented through exercise and larger intakes of Vitamin D and calcium.

Bone Cancer

Bone Cancer is usually caused by a different form of cancer such as the prostate cancer. It is the neoplastic and abnormal growth of tissues in bones – tumor growth.

Bone Cancer is characterized by serious damages to the stem cells. If not given much attention bone cancer can lead Leukemia and the patient may need to undergo amputation. The most common form of bone cancer is osteosarcoma –  the eighth most common form of cancer during childhood.