Table of Contents

• What is Bone Disease?
• What is Joint Disease?
• Common Bone Diseases
• Osteoporosis
• Fracture
• Scoliosis
• Paget’s Disease
• Common Joint Diseases
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Gout
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bone Disease?

Bones are living tissues that are continuously rebuilt all through our life. It is a rigid organ that forms the skeletal structure in vertebrates. However, as we age, our ability to rebuild bones decreases and we get affected by various diseases, known as bone diseases.

What is Joint Disease?

Joints or articulations are connections that are made between bones, ossicles and other hard structures of the skeletal system. They are constructed such that they allow distinct types and degrees of movement. In some joints such as the knee, shoulder and elbow, the flexibility and degree of movement is high and the joint is self-lubricating and can withstand heavy loads.

Some joints on the other hand, such as those found in the skull are sutures that have limited or no movement to provide protection to sensory organs in the brain. Damaging the joints can lead to different conditions that are known as joint diseases or arthropathy.

Common Bone Diseases

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is characterised by decreased bone density and mass. It causes thinning of the bones that can lead to easy fractures. In this condition, the bones become porous and weak, and the distance between the matrix of the bone grows larger.

It is a silent disease that you never notice until you start breaking your bones frequently. Osteoporosis affects both men and women of all ethnicities but they are majorly found in postmenopausal women. As a woman reaches menopause, her sex hormones levels go down and she becomes more susceptible to osteoporosis.

Other causes of osteoporosis in men include hypogonadism, nutritional deficiencies, excess glucocorticoid levels and hyperthyroidism.

Refer: Osteoporosis – Causes, Signs and its Symptoms

Fracture

Bone fractures, abbreviated as FRX, Fx, F_x or # is a breakage in the continuity of the bone that can either be a partial or complete break. In extreme cases, the bone may be broken into several fragments which is called a comminuted fracture. In common cases, the breakage may be a result of trauma, injury or conditions such as osteoporosis or bone cancer, which is then called a pathologic fracture.

Symptoms of the condition include excruciating pain, edema or hematoma in the surrounding soft tissues, and involuntary muscle spasms.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition that is characterised by a sideway curve in an organism’s spine. The curve is usually S or C shaped and is three dimensional. Mild conditions of the disease usually do not give problems but extreme conditions worsen with age and can cause difficulty in breathing.

The condition is caused by genetic and environmental factors, the proper cause is not yet known. It can also present as a complication to other conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscle spasms, neurofibromatosis and Marfan syndrome.

The treatment for this condition includes surgery, exercise, bracing, and posture checking.

Paget’s Disease

Paget’s disease of bone is a condition where the bones show defective bone remodelling such that there is more breakdown of bone cells and disorganised new bone cell formation. As a result, the bones become weak which can lead to pain, deformity, fracture or arthritis.

The cause of the disease is not known but it is speculated that genetic and acquired factors play a role in this condition. This disease can affect more than one bone in our body but never the entire skeleton, and also it does not spread from bone to bone. In rare cases, the condition can cause malignant bone cancer.

Common Joint Diseases

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, abbreviated as OA is a degenerative joint disease that is caused by breakage of joint cartilage and underlying bones. It is the fourth most common cause of disability in the world. The most common symptoms of the condition include joint stiffness and pain.

The leading cause of the condition includes genetic factors, joint injury or abnormal joints. The condition has a greater risk of occurrence in people who are overweight, have jobs that affect the joints and improper limb development.

Treatment for this condition comprises regular exercise, consuming pain medications, weight loss and therapy.

Refer: Osteoarthritis- Types & Causes | Symptoms & Treatment

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It is caused when the body’s immune system starts attacking the joints. It can happen due to genetic or environmental factors.

This disease gives swollen and painful joints, inflammation around the joint and thickening of the synovial membrane. It mostly affects the joints of the hand and wrist on the same side.

Treatment for this condition only reduces the pain and inflammation. This is achieved by exercises, using assistive devices and pain medications.

Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that is characterised by swollen, tender, hot and red joints. The main cause of this condition is deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals. It gives pain rapidly that can go on for about 12 hours. The most common area affected with gout is the joint present under the big toe.

Elevated levels of uric acid in blood is the leading cause of gout. Uric acid is elevated due to dietary factors, genetic factors or other health problems. It mostly affects people who consume high quantities of beer, sugary beverages, purine rich food such as anchovies and shellfish, and those who are overweight.

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Related Links:

• Disorders of Muscular and Skeletal System
• Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Diseases
• 9 Early Arthritis Symptoms to Be Aware Of
• Types of Joints – Classification of Joints in the Human Body