Diseases & Disorders of The Muscular System
Diseases & Disorders of The Muscular System
Diseases & Disorders of The Muscular System
Spontaneous,
involuntary
contraction of
skeletal muscle
Occurs right after an
injury
Can be painful
TENDINITIS
Is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon
It is most often caused by repetitive, minor
impact on the affect area or from a sudden
injury
Risk factors include: incorrect posture, poor
stretching before activity, abnormal or poorly
placed bone or joint, RA, gout, & thyroid
disorders
Most common in adults
Most common locations affected are the base
of the thumb, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee &
Achilles tendon
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar
fascia
The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of
tissue originating on the bottom surface of the
calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the
sole of the foot towards the five toes
It occurs in two million Americans a year and
10% of the population over a lifetime
It is commonly associated with long periods of
work-related weight bearing, and obesity
Symptoms include pain felt on the underside of
the heel, difficulty bending the foot and
increased probability of knee pains
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
It is a medical condition in which the median
nerve is compressed at the wrist
Leads to paresthesias, numbness and muscle
weakness in the hand
Also known as median neuropathy at the
wrist
Most cases of CTS are idiopathic (without
known cause), genetic factors determine most
of the risk, and the role of arm use and other
environmental factors are disputed
COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
Occurs when too much pressure builds up in and
around the muscles
It can result from crushing injuries, extended
pressure on a blood vessel, swelling inside a cast
or complications from surgery
Symptoms include severe pain, a feeling of
fullness or tightness in the muscle and a
tingling sensation
Numbness indicates cellular death and it may
be difficult to restore full function once it
reaches that point
Surgery to relieve the pressure is usually
required
COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
FIBROMYALGIA--FMS
Is a disorder classified by the presence of
chronic widespread pain and a heightened
and painful response to gentle touch
… Known as tactile allodynia
Other core features of the disorder include
debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and
joint stiffness
Cause is unknown though it is suspected that
its origins are genetic
Treatments are limited to pain relievers and
Lyrica
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Literally means "serious muscle-weakness
Is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating
muscle weakness and fatigability
It is also an autoimmune disorder
… in which weakness is caused by circulating
antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at
the post-synaptic neuromuscular junction,
inhibiting the simulative effect of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine
It is treated medically with cholinesterase
inhibitors or immunosuppressants, and, in selected
cases, a thymectomy.
200–400 cases per million it is one of the least
common autoimmune disorders
DERMATOMYOSITIS
This uncommon autoimmune disease causes muscle
weakness accompanied by a skin rash
It can affect anyone but is most commonly seen in
adults ages 40 to 60 and children ages five to 15
Symptoms include a light purple or red rash on the
face, hands, knees, chest and back and progressive
muscle weakness
It may also cause difficulty swallowing, muscle pain,
ulcers, fever, fatigue and weight loss
Doctors are uncertain of the cause but believe it may
be genetic
Treatment includes pain management, corticosteroids
and immunosuppressive drugs.
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Is a group of muscular disorders in which
there is considerable muscle degeneration
and weakness
It is an inherited sex-linked trait that is
predominant in males
There are 7 different forms of MD
The two most well-known forms are
Duchenne and Becker MD
There is no cure for this spectrum of
disorders
DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Is the most severe form of muscular dystrophy
Is caused by a problem with the gene that makes a
protein called dystrophin
… This protein helps muscle cells keep their shape
and strength
Symptoms usually start between ages 2 and 6
By age 10 or 12, kids with DMD often need to use a
wheelchair
They can also develop scoliosis and tightness in their
joints
Over time a person might need a ventilator to breathe
People with DMD usually do not survive beyond their
late teens or early adulthood
BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Is very similar to DMD in that it affects boys
Its symptoms may start later and can be less
severe
With BMD, symptoms like muscle
breakdown and weakness sometimes don't
begin until age 10 or even in adulthood
People with BMD can also have breathing,
heart, bone, muscle, and joint problems
Many people with BMD can live long, active
lives without using a wheelchair
RHABDOMYOLYSIS
Is the rapid breakdown (lysis) of skeletal muscle due to
injury to muscle tissue
The muscle damage may be caused by physical,
chemical, or biological factors.
Rhabdomyolysis damages both the muscles and the
kidneys by causing the muscle fibers to breakdown and
be released into the blood stream
The fibers erode into a substance called myoglobin,
which blocks the kidney structures and can lead to
kidney failure
Alcoholism, heatstroke, cocaine and heroin overdoses,
seizures and severe exertion are possible causes
Signs of rhabdomyolysis include weakness, muscle
stiffness and pain, joint pain and weight gain.
FIBRODYSPLASIA OSSIFICANS
PROGRESSIVA
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a
rare congenital disease that affects approximately
one in two million people worldwide
It causes muscles, tendons and ligaments to be
replaced with bone tissue
Since it is a congenital disease, it begins before birth
but is generally diagnosed in childhood
The earliest sign is malformed big toes at birth
There are no effective treatments for FOP.
Medication is usually given to treat the pain
associated with the new bone formation.