Without the skeletal system, which consists of the bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments, our bodies would collapse into a heap of skin and fluids. The skeletal system provides the body with structure, support, protection and the ability to move. There are many diseases that can strike the skeletal system and result in debilitating damage, including osteoporosis, bursitis, arthritis, scurvy, tendonitis and scoliosis.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones due to a decrease in bone mass, which results in an increased risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis can affect anyone at any age, but according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 80 percent of sufferers are women, and the majority are over the age of 50.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, the small fluid-filled sacs found near joints between the bones, tendons and muscles. The bursa act as cushions to decrease pressure and friction between the bones. Repetitive motions, such as the kind the knees, elbows or shoulders might encounter, often cause the bursa to become inflamed, resulting in pain in the joints. The bursitis and the pain may become chronic and difficult to treat.
Arthritis
Arthritis is not a single condition, but a term which describes over 100 conditions that can affect people from infants to the elderly, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis affects the joints, places where two bones come together. Arthritis causes a variety of joint problems, including joint pain, inflammation and stiffness, that can result in permanent damage. In fact, arthritis is a major cause of disability in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Scurvy
Scurvy is a condition caused by a severe vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, deficiency. Scurvy can be a serious condition, and those at highest risk are teenagers. Scurvy causes muscle weakness, joint pain, rash and bleeding gums. Vitamin C is essential to the development and health of the connective tissues, as it is important for the production of collagen, a protein which is the basic building block of the connective tissues.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is very similar in both symptoms and locations to bursitis, but it is the inflammation of the tendons, the dense fibrous structure that attaches muscles to bones. Tendonitis is often caused by an injury, and, according to the American College of Rheumatology, the best treatment is completely resting the affected joint.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis, the curvature of the spine, can be a disabling disease. Scoliosis most often occurs during a growth spurt during puberty, and is more prevalent--and often more severe--in girls. Although scoliosis may be caused by cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, most times the cause is not known.
