The skeletal system is more than just bones. It includes tendons, cartilage and ligaments to hold the bones together and to respond to the nerve impulses that cause movement. The components of the skeletal system, which are designed to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle, change when diseases and disorders that cause pain, deformity and weakening occur.
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is a skeletal system disorder that causes the most common type of dwarfism, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The odds of inheriting the disorder if one parent has achondroplasia are at 50 percent. If both parents have achondroplasia, the chances increase to 75 percent. Most cases of achondroplasia, however, occur with babies born to parents where neither parent has achondroplasia. Symptoms apparent at birth include bowed legs, poor muscle tone, large head, shortened extremities, abnormal hand appearance and a prominent forehead.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD), as reported by KidsHealth, is an inflammatory disease that affects the bone, cartilage and tendon where the kneecap attaches to the shinbone. OSD occurs at the beginning of growth spurts for active adolescents---for girls, between 8 and 13 years of age, and for boys, between the ages of 10 and 15. The highest risk factors for developing OSD include participation in sports activities that involve jumping, running and twisting. OSD occurs as the growth plate at the top of the shinbone experiences an excessive amount of stress during the growth spurt. Symptoms include pain that goes away with rest, swelling under the knee and limping following a stressful activity. Treatment for OSD includes resting the affected joint and medications to reduce inflammation and pain. For severe cases, avoiding sports and physical activities allows the inflammation to heal.
Ewing's Sarcoma
Ewing's sarcoma is a cancer that occurs in or near the bone. The University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital reports the occurrence as one out of 50,000 teenagers. The thighbone is the most common location for Ewing's sarcoma to appear. Symptoms that adolescents experience include pain, swelling and redness around the tumor site, fatigue, weight loss and fever. Tumor removal, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the standard treatment options for Ewing's sarcoma.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia, or "soft bones," is a disease caused by the lack of vitamin D. As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, osteomalacia weakens bones, leaving them susceptible to breaking easily. Lab indicators for osteomalacia include a low vitamin D level, along with low calcium and phosphate levels. Treatment includes increasing the level of vitamin D, calcium and phosphate as needed to provide adequate levels for bone support.
