MUSCULAR SYSTEM

Diseases & Disorders of the

Muscular System
 DISEASES & DISORDERS
 Strains  Myasthenia gravis
 Sprains  Dermatomyositis
 Cramps/ Spasms  Muscular dystrophy
 Duchenne Muscular
 Tendonitis
Dystrophy
 Plantar fasciitis  Becker Muscular
 Carpal tunnel Dystrophy
syndrome  Rhabdomyolysis
 Fibromyalgia  Fibrodysplasia
Ossificans
Progressiva
MUSCLE STRAINS
 Are moderate amounts of soft-tissue damage
to muscle fibers that occur when a ligament
or joint capsule becomes stretched beyond its
elastic limits
 They are usually caused by sudden,
strenuous movements or trauma
 Symptoms include: pain, swelling, and
bruising
 Muscle damage can be in the form of tearing
the muscle fibers and the tendons partially or
fully
 Three grades of sprain severity: I, II, & III
 GRADES OF MUSCLE SPRAINS
 Grade I: is mild with an overstretching or slight
tearing of the ligaments with no joint instability
Person is able to put weight on it
 Grade II: is moderate with partial tearing of the
ligament and characterized by bruising,
moderate pain and swelling Person has some
difficulty putting weight on it and some joint
function is loss
 Grade III: severe sprain results in a complete
tear or rupture of a ligament. Pain, swelling, and
bruising are usually severe, unable to put weight
on joint Requires immobilization and possible
surgery
MUSCLE CRAMPS/SPASMS

 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.