THE

MUSCULOSKELETAL
SYSTEM
 TOPICS
wHAT IS THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM?
wHAT ARE ITS FUNCTIONS?
mUSCULOSKELETAL PAINS
TREATMENTS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION OF MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
 Musculoskeletal System
background

The component of the human body that allows

movement and stability and provides shape and
support. It is divided into two systems.

The musculoskeletal system also helps in the

homeostatic functions such as mineral storage,
hematopoiesis, and storage of glycogen.
Muscular system
A system of organs made up of
specialized contractile tissue known as the muscle
tissue. All muscles are classified into three groups
based on the muscle type of the tissue:

1) Cardiac muscle
2) Smooth muscle
3) Skeletal muscle
Muscular system
Cardiac muscles form the muscular
layer of the heart
Smooth muscles comprises the walls of blood
vessels
and hollow organs
Skeletal muscles attach to bones and allows
voluntary movement
Muscles may be striated or non-striated
based on their histological appearance.
 Skeletal
The adult human skeleton is made up of
206 bones and cartilages that are system
associated with them.

Ligaments, tendons, bursae, and muscles

support the bones. The bones of the body
are classified into two categories.
1.Axial Skeleton
Skeletal
Includes the bones along the body's long axis.
The axial skeleton is made up of the vertebral
system
column, head bones, and thoracic cage bones.

2.Appendicular Skeleton
Consists of the bones of the shoulder and
pelvic girdle, as well as the bones of the
upper and lower extremities.
 Musculoskeletal System
How it works

The component of the human body that allows

movement and stability and provides shape and
support. It is divided into two systems.

The musculoskeletal system also helps in the

homeostatic functions such as mineral storage,
hematopoiesis, and storage of glycogen.
How it works
The musculoskeletal system works
through voluntary muscle movements controlled
by the nervous system. Different muscle groups are
used for each specific movements.

Large muscle groups are required for jumping,

running, and other wide-movement activities,
while smaller muscle groups are utilized in
actions such as pressing a button
 Musculoskeletal System
pains

Musculoskeletal discomfort has a variety of

causes. The wear and tear of daily activities can
harm muscle tissue.

Musculoskeletal discomfort can also result from

trauma to an area, such as jerking movements, car
accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and
direct impacts to the muscle.
 Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Pain
People with musculoskeletal pain sometimes
complain that their entire bodies ache. Their muscles
may feel like they have been pulled or
overworked. Sometimes, the muscles twitch or burn.
Symptoms vary from person to person, but the
common symptoms are:
Pain
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
 Musculoskeletal System
types of injuries

Overexertion injuries
This kind of injury includes muscles, tendons and
even the body ligaments.

Overexertion injuries occur when the tissues are

being used or exceeding their range of motion. This
kind of injury may result in sprain, strain or tear injury.
 Musculoskeletal System
types of injuries

overuse injuries
This kind of injury happens because of the overused
tissue making the body unable to repair any damages
anymore.

Overuse injuries are considered hazardous because this

injury happens in repetition as well as exertion of forceful
motions or activities; the body cannot have enough time to
recover.
Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury
treatments, prevention,
and mitigation
 Musculoskeletal Injuries
treatments

Current treatments for musculoskeletal pain and

injuries include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), gene therapy, and cryotherapy

There are also other effective treatments such as

occupational and physical therapies, therapeutic
massage, and acupuncture.
Treatments
nsaids Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) are a drug class that has been
approved by the FDA for use as antipyretic, anti-
inflammatory, and analgesic agents. Because of these
effects, NSAIDs are effective in treating muscle pain,
dysmenorrhea, arthritic conditions, pyrexia,
gout, migraines, and can be used as opioid-
sparing agents in some cases of acute
trauma.
types of nsaids
Acetylated salicylates NSAIDs
Non-acetylated salicylates
Propionic acids
Acetic acids
Enolic acids
Anthranilic acids
Naphtylamine
Selective COX-2 Inhibitors
Topical NSAID's
 NSAID's
Application in sports injury

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

are a group of medications that are frequently
used to treat acute and chronic injuries that
athletes suffer while practicing and competing.

NSAIDs can be acquired over-the-counter and taken without

a doctor's supervision in many parts of the world. However,
NSAIDs must be taken orally for a long time due to the
chronic nature of overuse injuries.
NSAID's
Process The primary method by which NSAIDs
work is by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase
enzyme (COX). Arachidonic acid must be converted
into thromboxanes, prostaglandins, and prostacyclins
by cyclooxygenase; the therapeutic benefits of NSAIDs
are thought to be caused by the absence of
these eicosanoids.
NSAID's
Process
In particular, thromboxanes are involved
in platelet adhesion, prostaglandins
produce vasodilation, raise the
temperature set-point in the
hypothalamus, and contribute to anti-
nociception.
advantages
They are not addictive
Help fight the inflammatory process in your
NSAIDs
body
They have the ability to be antipyretic

disadvantages
Gastric adverse effects
Renal adverse effects
Cardiovascular adverse effects
Hepatic adverse effects
Hematologic adverse effects
Treatments
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a type of treatment
wherein extreme cold is applied to the body
part that requires treatment. The purpose of this
treatment is to freeze damaged or diseased tissue.
The cold temperature is believed to control pain by
stimulating a numbing effect on the area it is
applied. This works similar to local anesthesia. It
also decreases oedema, nerve conduction
velocities, cellular metabolism and blood flow.
 Cryotherapy
Application in sports injury

Cryotherapy can be used for acute

injuries, trauma, chronic pain, muscle
soreness, and inflammation.

During an injury however, cryotherapy is used for

different purposes in each stage of the injury. It’s mostly
used though during the acute stage and rehabilitation
stage.
Cryotherapy
Process There are various methods on the
application and process of cryotherapy.
It includes the following:
Crushed ice wrapped around towel/any type
of cloth
Ice bags and ice packs
Ice spray
Cold compression machine
Ice massage
Water immersion
advantages
Pain relief
Cryo-
therapy
Reduced Inflammation
Decreased surface temperature
Effective for soft tissue injuries
Prevention and treatment for cancer

disadvantages
Little evidence of benefits
Some cases observed bradycardia and frostbite
as symptoms
Inhibition of muscle function
Nerve injuries
Treatments
Gene therapy
Gene Therapy is a medical approach
that replaces faulty genes or adds new genes
to the genetic makeup in an attempt to cure a disease
or aid the body in fighting and healing.

This type of treatment is relatively new and is

still undergoing research for a safer and more
effective approach.
 Gene Therapy
Application in sports injury

Gene therapy targets the site of the musculoskeletal injury.

Though this treatment is still undergoing several clinical trials, it
has been proven that gene therapy has the ability to improve,
repair, and regenerate bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons,
meniscus, and intervertebral discs.

Most fractures and sprains can heal over time but severe
injuries and segmental bone defects cannot. This type of
treatment is mainly used for circumstances such as that.
Gene Therapy
Process

Gene therapy has two methods of

application and administration:
1) Gene transfer
2) Genome editing
3) Viral vectors
4) Non-viral vectors
Gene Therapy
Process

There are two processes of vector delivery:

1) In vivo delivery - vectors are introduced

directly into the body (injection)
2) Ex vivo delivery - vectors are implanted
into the site of injury extracorporeally
(situated outside the body on injury site)
 advantages
Faster solution to delivering products with an intracellular
Gene
Therapy
site of action such as noncoding RNA’s and proteins
Treatment for injuries that can’t be healed properly
Has the ability to replace or fix mutated genes

disadvantages
Long term effects have yet to determined since this is
relatively new
Some research indicates that this therapy may worsen
symptoms or cause them to last longer
Viral vectors may target wrong cells
 Musculoskeletal Injuries
Prevention and Mitigation

Most musculoskeletal injuries are caused by work-

related risk factors, such as but not limited to repetitive
movements, poor posture and ergonomics, trauma, and
overworking.

This causes a diverse range of musculoskeletal

injuries which led to the development of various
treatments.
Prevention and
Mitigation
How to prevent
Tips on how to prevent musculoskeletal injuries:
- ensure to work in an ergonomic
workplace
- awareness and education about
musculoskeletal injuries
- early intervention and prevention
 First-Aid
Tips on how to attend to musculoskeletal injuries
First aid: in cases of emergency, ALWAYS assess the
situation first. Do not move the patient immediately as
this may cause more harm than good.
First aid: Use the RICE method which means to rest,
ice, compression, and elevate. This will reduce swelling
and pain. Rest the injured part, apply ice to reduce the
swelling, use bandages or clothes to compress, and
elevate to reduce blood flow and further reduce
swelling.
Call an ambulance for severe cases where first aid
alone is not enough.
Contact healthcare providers if pain persists for more
than 24-48 hours.
Cryotherapy: Uses, Procedure, Risks & Benefits. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy
Gene Therapy. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17984-gene-therapy
Gene therapy - Mayo Clinic. (2017, December 29).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gene-therapy/about/pac-20384619
Managing Musculoskeletal Injuries. (n.d.). REAL First Aid.
https://www.realfirstaid.co.uk/musculoskeletal
Manoukian, M. A. C. (2017, October 5). Topical Administration of Ibuprofen for Injured Athletes: Considerations,
Formulations, and Comparison to Oral Delivery - Sports Medicine - Open. SpringerOpen. https://sportsmedicine-
open.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40798-017-0103-2
Musculoskeletal Pain: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14526-musculoskeletal-pain
Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, Lower Back Pain, Bones, Muscles. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12254-musculoskeletal-system-normal-structure--function
NCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742
NHS website. (2022, October 21). NSAIDs. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids/
Pros and Cons of NSAID Medications: Commonwealth Musculoskeletal Medicine: Musculoskeletal Specialists. (n.d.).
https://www.myjointpainsolution.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-nsaid-medications