Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

by admin, May 16, 2012

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Diagnosis, Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms

We can split up the musculoskeletal anatomy into three convenient parts. Muscles, Musculoskeletal system,and Tissue.

Types of Muscle Cell.

Skeletal Muscle. These are the most common muscle in the human body. They are formed from bundles of cylindrical, striated muscle fiber. The fiber bundles come together via connective tissue, which in turn forms further bundles, finally binding together to make the muscle. Control of these muscles comes directly from the somatic nervous system.

Smooth Muscle. These muscle cells are elongated and non- striated, they weave together in sheets rather than forming bundles. Controlled by the autonomous nervous system they form layers which line the digestive tract, bladder arteries and veins.

Tags: Muscles, Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Musculoskeletal System 

Musculoskeletal Injury at Work

by admin, April 14, 2012

in Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) can often occur at places of work, and all workers should be made aware of the risks of MSI, which can damage bones, muscles, nerves and soft tissue.

Workers at Risk.

Every worker who is involved in repetitive manual work is at risk from sustaining MSI especially workers who –

-          Remain in a fixed work position and use their limbs repetitively.

-          Have to keep up a speedy repetition of the task.

-          Put pressure on body parts and overload particular groups of muscles continually.

Tags: Doctor, Employer, Legal, Prevention, Responsibility 

MRI of the Musculoskeletal System

by admin, March 14, 2012

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Diagnosis, Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms

Often, a doctor who has completed his/her initial physical examination in diagnosing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD),will seek further help by means of radiological equipment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is often used.

MRI is a non invasive test which helps doctors in diagnosing and treating  MSD. It uses radio pulses in a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of the internal skeletal structure.Iinformation can then be sent to a computer where it can be displayed for analyses and storage.

Magnetic resonance imaging is often the first choice in diagnosing skeletal problems associated with body joints, bones, soft tissue, tendons and ligaments which are all typical MSD complaints.

This form of imaging is also used as a diagnostic tool for other complaints such as –

Tags: Bone, Joints, MRI, Resonance Imaging, Soft Tissue 

Mysculoskeletal Disease Infectious Arthritis

by admin, February 11, 2012

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Diagnosis, Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms

Arthritis is commonly associated with the aging process causing pain and aches in the arms and legs. But arthritis can also be caused by bacterial invasion, and is referred to as infectious arthritis or ‘septic joint’.

Although it is an infection caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria it remains non contagious. These bacteria can be introduced into the joint by injury or picked up during surgery, but more commonly they are carried to the joint from other infected areas of the body.

In young people, the onset of infectious arthritis is caused by the same bacteria which results in the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, and can affect the joints of the wrists, elbows, hands, and knees.

Tags: Arthritis, Bacterial, Infectious Arthritis, Septic Joint 

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Online Journal

by admin, January 10, 2012

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Diagnosis, Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders is the name of an ‘open access, online’ journal which publishes articles, medical papers and publications written on all topics relating to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, and other skeletal disease. The impact rating of the journal is 1.88

The journal also accepts papers on molecular genetics, pathophysiology (dealing with functional disturbances within an organ caused by disease) and the study of disease origin and development (epidemiology). Any papers accepted for inclusion in the journal are carefully scrutinized by qualified staff prior to publication.

Tags: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Journal, Online, Open Access 

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Radiological Diagnosis

by admin, March 1, 2011

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Diagnosis

Following the physical examination involved in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), the doctor may use laboratory testing facilities as an aid to complete the diagnosis especially when blood or fluid testing is necessary.

However, depending on the findings of the physical examination investigations will be carried out by using the many radiological services available.

X-Rays. If early diagnosis of damage to muscle or bone is evident, then x-rays are a valuable tool in evaluating damage to painful areas, and assessing bone fractures or breakages. X-rays will diagnose –

-          Bone breakages, fractures and abnormalities.

-          Deformities such as congenital hip dysplasia.

-          Certain kinds of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis will show up on x-ray.

Tags: Bone Scanning, Joint Aspiration, Magentic Resonance Imaging 

Musculoskeletal Fibromyalgia

by admin, January 25, 2011

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms

People suffering from musculoskeletal disorders complain about having places of soreness (tender spots), especially on the neck, shoulders, hips, arms and legs, accompanied by muscle pain, a general feeling of lethargy, and sleep loss. This condition is generally known as fibromyalgia.

The exact cause of musculoskeletal fibroamyalgia is not known. There may be a genetic connection which makes a person more sensitive to pain than others, but it is commonly believed that many factors are involved, and the condition has been linked to –

-          Repetitive injury, possibly work related.

-          Distressing psychological events caused by an accident.

-          Sickness and Illness.

-          Certain types of disease such as rheumatoid or spinal arthritis or diseases associated with musculoskeletal connective tissue, (Lupus)

Tags: Muscle Pain, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Tender Spots 

Musculoskeletal Fellowship Training

by admin, January 18, 2011

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms

For any medical practitioner seeking a Fellowship in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, there are many medical institutions which can offer such a facility, some even on a free scholarship basis.

The potential fellow will be expected to spend much time in the out patients clinic. Here, he/she will observe and learn the multi discipline approaches in dealing with musculoskeletal disorders, and will follow a structured fellowship training program.

The initial training will be spread over several months, during which time the fellow will be expected to observe a variety of musculoskeletal clinics which will include –

-          Musculoskeletal disorders.

-          Electrodiagnostic testing.

-          Sports medicine.

-          Spine care.

Tags: Clinics, Electrodiagnostic Testing, Sports Medicine 

Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorder

by admin, January 3, 2011

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Causes

The human skeleton is made up of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. It also              contains bursae which are sacs of fluid which provide lubrication between joints and other body parts, which may have abrasive contact. Collectively all these skeletal parts comprise the musculoskeletal system.

Any of these skeletal parts is prone to injury, or can be affected by a variety of diseases, which then result in musculoskeletal disorder. (MSD)

Some Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorder.

The first sign of MSD is pain, which can be the result of damage to the parts comprising the musculoskeletal system. Typically the cause is from an injury, although general aches and pains can occur from the aging process. For instance osteoporosis can affect the bones in an elderly person. Some causes of MSD are as follows.

Tags: Bones, Bursae, Joints, Ligaments, Muscles, Tendons 

Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Rheumatoid Arthritis

by admin, January 3, 2011

in Musculoskeletal Disorders Diagnosis

The routines necessary for the correct diagnosis of the musculoskeletal disease rheumatoid arthritis should be carried out by a specialist doctor called a rheumatologist. . The first step is a consultation between the doctor and the patient.

Several visits to the rheumatologist may be required before the diagnosis can be completed. During these visits the doctor will examine the joints for inflammation and any sign of joint deformity. X-rays, blood samples will be taken, and fluid may be extracted from the joint for laboratory testing also.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a symmetrical disease and will affect both sides of the body like both the left and right hand and wrist joints. Because of this symmetry, if only one joint is affected, the doctor will have to conduct further tests to exclude other types of musculoskeletal arthritis or gout, to correctly diagnose the condition being suffered as rheumatoid arthritis.

Tags: Diagnosis, Musculoskeletal Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis