There are various musculoskeletal disorders that can affect the normal function of the muscles, bones and the joints. The severity is based on the condition which can cause pain and discomfort. Some of the conditions associated with musculoskeletal abnormalities include rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, duchenne muscular dystrophy, becker muscular dystrophy, limb abnormalities, fibromyalgia, degenerate disc disease, hernia, spine disorders and osteoporosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This is a form of autoimmune arthritis that causes stiffness, swelling, pain and joint damage. This condition results in the seriously limited function of various joints. It generally affects the small joints of the hands and the feet that continue to affect other parts of the body such as the eyes and the lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis develops when certain aspects of the immune system do not function normally attacking the healthy tissues causing inflammation of the joints. There is no cure for this condition and the treatment focuses on reducing the pain, swelling and to slow the progression of the joint damage. In some cases, a surgery can help reduce the pain and to enable better joints function.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
This rapidly progressing condition is characterized by the loss of muscle function and weakness which normally begins to affect the skeletal muscles of the lower limbs. This form of muscular dystrophy develops because of a genetic mutation that causes the shortage of a protein called dystrophin. As the result, the muscle fiber becomes damaged causing the progressive muscle weakness. As the genetic mutation is located on one of the sex chromosomes, this disorder mostly affects males. The symptoms can begin by the age of 3 affecting the muscles of the pelvic area, hips, shoulders, thighs and continuing to affect the skeletal muscles of the legs, arms and the trunk. By the time the affected child reaches their teens, the respiratory and heart muscles can also become involved. There is no cure for the disease but the treatment can help with the management of the symptoms.
Scoliosis
This condition is characterized by the sideways curvature of the spine that can develop just before puberty. Although the exact cause of the common forms of scoliosis is not known, it is associated with a neuromuscular condition such as muscular dystrophy, birth defects affecting the normal development of the spine and from injuries or infection of the spine. Most of the cases are mild but the affected child can develop spine deformities. The severe cases can have a problem with the normal functioning of the lungs because of the reduced amount of space within the chest. In the case of a mild condition, treatment is not required except regular checkups to detect if any change in the curvature has occurred. In the case of severe or moderate scoliosis, the treatment can include a brace which can prevent the further progression of the condition. Alternatively, a scoliosis surgery may be required that can reduce the severity of the spinal curve and to prevent it from getting worse.
References
http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Rheumatoid-Arthritis
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scoliosis/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20193777
