The skeletal system consists of 206 bones held together and mobilized by ligaments, muscles and tendons. The bone marrow in the center of the bone makes red blood cells and stores minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Disease processes affecting the skeletal system include spina bifida, rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, clubfoot and aneurysmal bone cyst.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy. Incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings causes an opening in the back where the spinal cord or surrounding membranes push through. There are two types of spina bifida: spina bifida occulta and spina bifida manifesta. In spina bifida occulta, the spinal cord is intact and unaffected. Spina bifida manifesta includes meningocele and myelomeningocele, with the latter being the most severe form.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease that begins with joint swelling and stiffness. The next stage involves the thickening of the synovium (the thin membrane that secretes synovial fluid in the joint). As the damage to the joint progresses, the enzymes from the inflamed cells destroy the bone and cartilage. The Arthritis Foundation emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for maintaining a productive lifestyle.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a skeletal infection. Causes include the presence of staphylococcus aureus and an open fracture, minor trauma with secondary infection, bacteria in the bloodstream or soft tissue infection around the bone. The Cleveland Clinic states that osteomyelitis affects adults and children. Osteomyelitis affects children more in the long bones, while adults get the damage more in the vertebrae and pelvis.
Clubfoot
Talipes equinovarus is the medical term for a common congenital disorder known as clubfoot. Clubfoot presents at birth with the foot turning inward and downward. The National Institutes of Health states that talipes equinovarus affects one out of every 1,000 live births. Reshaping the foot with the use of a cast shortly after birth is the standard treatment. Using leg braces after a series of five to 10 casts continues to restructure the feet.
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst
An aneurysmal bone cyst, a benign blood-filled fibrous cyst, occurs most often in the teen years. The most common locations for an aneurysmal bone cyst are the vertebrae and the knee, but it can appear on any bone of the extremities, trunk or skull. Aneurysmal bone cyst symptoms include a mass, swelling and pain. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will do diagnostic testing such as an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or bone scan. Treatment options include curettage (bone scraping) followed by bone grafting, removal of the bone, biopsy, and cryotherapy or radiation therapy.
