Skeletal system problems, cause, fixes, and prevention

• • Fracture: Break in the bone (many types)
  • Causes: accidents, diseases, age of the bone
  • Fixes: bones heal naturally, immobilization (brace, splint, cast, screws, external fixators)
  • Prevention: Practice safe behaviour to avoid injury (ex. remove tripping hazards, use hand rails, avoid standing on unstable surfaces, use non-slip mats in bathtubs, etc.)
• • Scoliosis: Curvature of the spine
  • Causes: unknown, but probably hereditary as it occurs in families;  repetitive activities putting strain on your spine; muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy
  • Fixes: depends on severity and age and growth of the child; nothing - brace - surgery
  • Prevention: unknown; good posture
• • Arthritis: inflammation or swelling of one or more joints
  • Causes: injury, heredity, infections, poor immune system 

  Prevention: avoid injury and illness, maintain a healthy weight

  • Fixes: physical activity, monitor weight, medication
• • Osteoporosis: decrease in the amount and thickness in bone. causes the bones to become weak and break easily
  • Causes: no single cause for osteoporosis has been identified 
  • Treatment: proper nutrition, physical activity, and prescription medication
  • Preventions: calcium and vitamin D supplements, better nutrition, weight bearing exercises