The diversity of the functions of the 206 skeletal system bones includes support for bodily movement, protection of vital organs and production of blood cells in the marrow of some bones. From the femur, the longest bone, to the smallest bone in the ear, genetic disorders, disease processes, sports injuries and accidents affect all parts of the skeletal system.
Blount's Disease
Blount's disease, a growth disorder that affects the upper shinbone at the knee growth plate, causes the outer side of the growth plate to grow normally, while the inner side of the growth plate grows slowly. The deformity causes the leg to have a bowed appearance with the foot turned inward. Infantile and adolescent are the two types of Blount's disease. Bracing of infantile Blount's by the age of two is the preferred treatment. PediatricOrthopedics.com recommends surgery to straighten the lower leg by the age of three years.
Rickets
Rickets is a disorder in children caused by a lack of vitamin D or, in some cases, heredity. The bones become soft and easily breakable without the calcium and phosphorus that vitamin D helps to absorb into them. Family Doctor states that symptoms of rickets include bone pain, delayed growth and weak muscles. Children at the highest risk are between the ages of 6 months and 2 years old. Treatment for rickets caused by a lack of vitamin D includes supplementing nutrition with vitamin D and calcium. Braces can help to correct the deformities caused by rickets.
Fractures
Identification of the fracture type includes the extent of the break and the affect on the bone and surrounding tissue. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that a closed fracture is a broken bone without piercing the skin. An open or compound fracture may break through the skin. A transverse fracture is one at a right angle to the bone. A greenstick fracture occurs on one side of the bone causing the bone to bend. A comminuted fracture defines a fracture of at least three bone fragments. The three common causes for fractures are trauma, osteoporosis and overuse.
Bone Tumors
The two types of bone tumors are cancerous and non-cancerous (benign). Benign tumors are the most common and the least threatening. Primary bone cancer is less common than metastatic cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the bone. Primary bone cancers include cancer that begins in the osteoid tissue (osteosarcoma), cartilage pads (chondrosarcoma) and soft tissue surrounding the bones (Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors or ESFTs). The most common ages affected include adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age for osteosarcoma, adults over 40 years of age for chondrosarcoma and children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age for ESFTs. Depending on the location, stage and type of cancer, treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
