How Orthopedics Manage Different Conditions

If you’ve had issues with your musculoskeletal system, you may be quite familiar with orthopedics. This refers to any issue dealing with the bones, joints, connective tissues and nerves. Anything that interrupts your ability to move may need further examination or even treatment.

The skeletal system is pretty obvious—it includes all of your bones. Adults have an average of 206 bones; the word “average” is used because some adults have disorders or diseases that cause bones to fuse—or refuse to fuse—that change that number. The skeleton protects and supports the body. One example of bone complications is skeletal dysplasia; conditions defined by abnormal growth, development, shape or quality of the skeletal system are known as skeletal dysplasias, or dwarfism. The common cause is genetic mutation, and it is normally detected when a child’s head isn’t proportional to his or her body. This can be detected while a child is still in the womb. When this is detected at an early stage, orthopedics can help correct deformities, maximize the child’s mobility and work to prevent future difficulties. Orthopedic specialists can work with other doctors to determine the best plan of action for this genetic condition.

Muscles are the next system of note, as they allow movement. One serious genetic disorder of the muscles is muscular dystrophy (MD), which refers to a group of inherited disorders. Individuals with MD experience increasing muscle weakness and loss of tissue. Both children and adults can be affected. Some people have total-body MD, while others can have localized affectation at sites such as the shoulder or legs. Muscular dystrophy is detected by increasingly poor muscle strength. It’s also interesting ορθοπεδικά είδη to note that this is predominantly male mutation. If a person is showing symptoms, a doctor may perform a biopsy, blood tests, or various tests of muscle abilities. Orthopedics can help affected individuals by working to maximize an individual’s physical abilities. While this condition has no known cure, it can sometimes be improved with physical therapy, braces, or surgery in some cases.

We’ll just group connective tissues and joints together. First, connectives tissues include tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect the ends of bones together to form joints. Joints, as you may have guessed, connect bones and allow movement. Some, like knee joints, allow movement. Others, called “false joints,” don’t actually move. A common problem with this area of orthopedics is the need for hip replacements; this is one of the most common orthopedic procedures. It involves replacing the hip joint with a prosthetic. Individuals opt for this procedure when faced with arthritis or severe joint wear and tear.