Deformities Of Skeleton

DEFORMITIES OF SKELETON

Human skeleton supports an upright body. Sometimes our skeletal system becomes weak. It results in deformations. There are different causes of the deformations:

1. Genetic:

There are following genetic abnormalities:

➤ Cleft palate:

It is a condition in which palatine processes of maxilla and palatine fail to fuse. The persistent opening between the oral and nasal cavity affect the sucking of food. It can lead to inhalation of food into the lungs causing aspiration pneumonia.

➤ Microcephaly:

The small sized skull is caused by some genetic defect.

➤ Arthritis:

It is composed of over 100 different types of inflammatory or degenerative diseases that damage the joints.

➤ Osteoarthritis (O. A):

It is the most common chronic arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease. It is also caused by genetic defect:

2. Hormonal:

Osteoporosis is a group of diseases in which there is more deposition of bone than the hone deposits (stores). In this case, bone mass is reduced and chemical composition of the matrix remains it is caused due to decreased estrogen level So osteoporosis mostly occurs in aged women. Some other factors like insufficient exercise, diet poor in calcium and protein, smoking, etc also promote osteoporosis:

Estrogen replacement (ERT) is the best protection against osteoporotic bone fractures.

3. Nutritional:

There are following nutritional bones abnormalities:

➤ Osteomalcia (soft bones):

Osteomalcia are a number of disorders. In this case, the bones receive jnadequate minerals. In this disease, calcium salts are not deposited. So bones become soft and weak. Weight bearing bones of legs and pelvis bend and deformed, The main symptom is the pain when weignt is put on affected bones.

➤ Rickets:

It is a disease of children. in this case, the children have bowed legs and deformed pelvis. It is caused by deficiency of calcium in diet or vitamin 'D' deficiency. It is treated by giving children milk with vitamin 'D' and exposing skin to sunlight.

DISC-SLIP

The displacement of intervertebral disc due to rupturing of outer membrane is called disc-slip. Intervertebral disc is present between two vertebrae of the vertebral column. This intervertebral disc is a cushion - like pad. The discs act as shock during walking jumping and running It is also used to bend laterally. This disc is composed of two pats:

➤ Nucleus pulposus:

The inner semi fluid of the disks is called nucleus pulposus. This fluid acts as rubber ball. It gives a disc elasticity and compressibility.

➤ Annulus fibrosus:

The outer part of the discs is composed of outer ring of fibrocartilage called the annulus fibrosus. The annulus fibrosus holds the successive vertebrae together.

Mechanism of disc slip:

Severe or sudden physical trauma to spines may cause herniation. For example, bending forward while lifting a heavy object may cause herniation of one or more discs. The annulus fibrosus is ruptured in hemiated disc (commonly known slip disc). It is followed by protrusion of the spony nucleus pulposus. This protrusion press on spinal cord or on spinal nerves. It causes severe pain or even destruction of these nervous structures.

Treatment : 

Disc slip is treated with bed rest, traction (pulling) and painkillers,  If this fails disc may be removed surgically.

Spondylosis:

This disease causes immobility and fusion of vertebral joint.

SCIATICA

It is characterized by a stabbing pain. This pain radiate over the course of sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve supply the thigh muscle.

Causes:

Sciatica is caused due to injury of proximal sciatic nerve. This injury is caused due to:

➤ Falling somewhere

➤ Hemiated disc

➤ Improper administration of an injection into the buttock

Affects:

Sciatica causes a number of lower limb impairment. Its severity depends on the injury of precise nerve root. Sometimes, sciatic nerve is completely transected. In this case, the legs become nearly useleşs. The legs cannot be flexed and all foot-ankle movements are lost. Recovery from sciatic injury is usually slow and incomplete.

Arthritis:

Arthritis is inflammatory or degenerative disease that damage joints, It results in pain, stiffness, swelling of the joint. Acute forms of arthritis is usually caused by bacteria. So it treated with antibiotics. The membrane lining the Joint become thick due to arthritis. Thus fluid production is decreased. It increases friction in joint. This friction causes pain and inflammation. There are three

chronic arthritis:

➤ Osteoarthritis

➤ Rheumatoid arthritis

➤ Gouty arthritis