malfunctions

• osteoporosis


  osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, leaching to fragility and fractures. Bone density scans are carried out to assess and monitor the progress of the disease .
• osteoporosis


  Symptoms:

  • Often there are no obvious symptoms until a minor fall or a sudden impact causes a fracture. The most common fractures are of the wrist, hip and vertebrae (spinal bones. In some cases a cough or a sneeze can cause a rib fracture or partial collapse of a vertebrae, which can lead to curvature of the spine and loss of height.
• osteoporosis


  Biological explanation:

  • osteoporosis is due to loss of protein matrix from the bone resulting in a loss of bone density, a condition that weakens bones so they become brittle. Bones naturally become thinner with age, particularly in women, who lose bone rapidly in the first few years after the menopause. This is because the hormone ostrogen (which promotes bone formation) declines after the menopause.
• osteoporosis


  Causes:

  • Losing bone is a normal part of the ageing process, but in some cases it can lead to osteoporosis.
  • Risk factors for developing the condition are: a family history of the condition or of hip fractures; heavy drinking and smoking; having an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia; long-term use of certain medications that affect bone strength, such as some of those used to treat breast and prostate cancer or corticosteroids used for asthma and arthritis.
  • Other conditions can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis for example rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac
• osteoporosis


  causes:

  • Women have an even greater risk of developing the condition if they have an early menopause, a hysterectomy, or absent periods as result of over-exercising or too much dieting.
  • Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can determine how healthy bones are.
• osteoarthritis 


  Symptoms:

  • The joints become painful and stiff, most often in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands. There is joint tenderness and increased pain if the joint has not moved in a while. There can be a cracking noise or grating sensation of the joint. There can be limited range of movement in the joint. Joints can appear more 'knobbly' than usual.
• osteoarthritis 


  Biological explanation:

  • General wear and tear of the joints is usually repaired by the body unnoticed, but with osteoarthritis the cartilage can be lost, bony growths develop and the area can become inflamed. Cartilage is a firm, rubbery, material that covers the ends of the bones in normal joints. Its function is to reduce friction in the joints, working as a 'shock absorber' and allowing the joints to move smoothly.
• osteoarthritis 


  biological explanation:

  • With osteoarthritis the cartilage becomes stiff, loses elasticity and may wear away over time. As the cartilage deteriorates tendons and ligaments stretch and eventually the bones can rub against each other, causing pain.
• osteoarthritis 


  Causes:

  • Though sometimes called wear and tear arthritis, osteoarthritis is not a normal part of ageing. Risk of developing the condition does increase as a person gets older, however, and in some cases it runs in families.
  • Being overweight or obese puts excess strain on the weight-bearing joints and so osteoarthritis can be worse in such people.
  • Osteoarthritis can develop in a joint damaged by an injury or operation. If a joint is not given enough time to heal after an operation or injury it can lead to developing osteoarthritis in later life.
• Rheumatoid arthritis


  Symptoms:

  • symptoms vary from person to person. They may come and go and

  may change over time.

  • Throbbing pain and aching, stiff joints, Joints can swell and become hot and tender to touch.

  • Firm swelling rheumatoid nodules can also develop under the skin around affected joints.
• rheumatoid arthritis 


  Biological explanation:

  • The immune system mistakenly attacks the cells that line the joints.
  • The synovial membrane that lines and lubricates the joint becomes inflamed and sore. This inflammation gradually destroys the cartilage.
  • As scar tissue replaces the cartilage the joint becomes misshapen and rigid.
• rheumatoid arthritis 


  Causes:

  • The exact cause of fetim to arthritis is not yet known. One theory is that a virus or infection triggers the condition. This causes an autoimmune response in which the body attacks its own tissues by sending antibodies to the lining of the joints, where they attack the tissue surrounding the joint.
• rheumatoid arthritis


  Causes:

  • There is some evidence that the risk of developing the condition may be increased by smoking and by hormones - it is more common in women due to higher oestrogen levels.
  • There is some evidence that it could be inherited, though this risk is thought to be very low as genes play a very small role in the condition.
• monitoring treatment and care

  Arthritis:

  Medication:

  • Steroids and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce swelling and inflammation of joints.

  • Painkillers, for example paracetamol.

  • Corticosteroid injections into the joint to reduce swelling.

  • Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to alleviate symptoms.
• monitoring treatment and care

  arthritis :

  Physiotherapy and exercise:

  • Joint manipulation, e.g. physiotherapy, to strengthen muscles around joints and to keep joints flexible to maintain mobility.
  • Assistance equipment, such as walking sticks, which take some of the weight off the joint, or a splint to support a joint.
  • Use of TENS, a device that gives small electrical impulses and can reduce pain.
• monitoring treatment and care

  arthritis:

  Surgery:

  • Arthroscopy to clean debris in joint.
  • Arthroplasty - joint replacement, for example a knee replacement to renew an affected joint.
  • Osteotomy, where a bone is cut and re-aligned.
• osteoporosis 


  Possible methods of monitoring:

  • Bone density scans (DEXA scan)
  • Blood tests
  • Fracture of an unusual bone, for example the wrist, shoulder, vertebrae
• osteoporosis


  Possible treatments:

  • Taking calcium and vitamin supplements.
  • Carrying out load-bearing exercise.
  • Taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) - the hormones ostrogen and/or progesterone prescribed for post-menopausalwomen.
  • Taking bisphosphonates, which slow the rate at which bone is broken down in the body so as to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fracture. They are given as an injection or in tablet form, and can have side-effects.
  • Taking medication for strengthening bones.
  • Having physiotherapy.
  • Using TENS.
• Impacts on lifestyle of musculoskeletal malfunctions

  It must be remembered that receiving appropriate treatment and making lifestyle changes can help individuals remain mobile and active by managing their symptoms and minimising the effects of their condition, enabling them to work and live a full and active life.
• impacts on lifestyle


  • Medication may have side-effects.
  • Attending regular check-ups and monitoring appointments.
  • Healthy eating, dietary changes.Regular exercise, being physically active.
  • Taking care to avoid fractures - affects what you do: hobbies, gardening, lifting things, ability to exercise, etc.
  • Loss of height - leads to back pain, hunched appearance.
  • Coping with pain - lack of sleep leading to tiredness and lack of concentration, and emotional and social effects.
  • May become immobile, housebound, need a single-storey house.
• impacts on lifestyle


  • May need to use a wheelchair or walking aids.
  • Recovery from surgery.
  • Home adaptions - stair lift, hand rails and grab handles, lever taps to make them easier to turn.
  • Arthritis can make preparing meals, shopping, driving, etc., difficult or impossible.Typical