The Musculoskeletal System

Anatomy and Physiology
The musculoskeletal system is a combination of the skeletal and muscular system as one could not function without the other. It gives us our movement and provides us with support. Although each joint appears the same the anatomy of each is very similar. There are 5 different types of joints as seen below; ball and socket, hinge, saddle, pivot and gliding. The knee joint, seen above, is a ball and socket joint.

Musculoskeletal Pathologies
Some of the most common musculoskeletal problems are those of arthritis. There are many types some of which are listed below.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joint which occurs after years of wear and tear. The activity wears down the synovial fluid and eventually the bones rub together. This causes inflammation and pain which gets worse as the day goes on. It usually occurs in an isolated joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis has similar symptoms but is symmetrical and usually presents with stiffness on rising which gets better during the day. It is an autoimmune response with an unknown cause however it does seem to run in families.

Reactive arthritis has similar symptoms to rheumatoid arthritis however; it is caused by a reaction to some kind of infection. It seems to affect the eyes causing conjunctivitis, urethritis (inflammation and irritation of the urethra).

Septic arthritis is cause by a purulent invasion of an infection and, again, has similar affects to the other arthritis. The only sure fire way to diagnose them precisely is usually further testing by the GP.

Gout (a form of crystal arthritis) is caused by uric acid crystals in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissue. It is characterised by acute flare ups of inflammation and pain.

Osteomyelitis is infection and inflammation of the bone marrow. It is usually caused by staphalaucoccus or salmonella. It presents with a fever, edema, tenderness to touch, and warmth.

Osteoporosis is a fragility of bones caused by a loss of bone density usually occurring after menopause.

Rhabdomyolysis usually occurs after injury and causes a breakdown of muscle fibres. This presents with weakness, pain, tenderness and edema as the muscles can not sufficiently move fluids around the body anymore.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pain, tingling and numbness in the hands. This happens because the carpal tunnel in the wrist pinches on the nerve.

Nerve entrapment causes pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness. Usually it is caused by a slipped disc in the spine (vertabrea).

Dupuytrens contracture is a contracture of the underlying palmar fascia in the hand. Sometimes it is a sign of lvier failure. It is not a painful condition but it is restrictive to the movement of the hand.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a bend in the spine which causes chronic pain and stiffness.

Fibromyalgia is generalised muscle pain. It can be associated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint stiffness, associated with depression and anxiety.

Systemic lupus erythamatous (SLE) is an autoimmune condition which affects the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Flare ups bring fever, malaise, joint pain, myalgias (muscle pains) and fatigue.

Paget’s disease of the bone is characterised by enlarged and deformed bones. It causes bone pain, arthritis, deformities, fractures, headaches, hearing loss, paralysis, teeth may spread intraorally and chalk stick fractures may appear. It has genetic and viral causes.

M/S Herbs
Chamomilla recutita is an anti-inflammatory.
Sympthytum officinale root is used to knit bones together as is rarely used internally for any other reason as it contains pyrollizidine alkaloids which have been shown to cause liver damage in large quantities (in rats, intravenously).
Hypericum perforatum is a nervine and therefore helps with nerve pains.
Curcuma longa is a powerful anti-inflammatory, usually used to treat the gastro-intestinal tract inflammations but can be used for other locations of inflammation as well.