3. Human skeleton supports an upright body. But sometimes, our
skeletal system becomes weak and results in deformations.
CAUSES: the causes of deformations are variable i.e.
i. Genetic
ii. Hormonal
iii. Nutritional
1: GENETIC CAUSES:
i. Cleft Palate:
A condition in which palatine processes of maxilla and palatine
fail to fuse.
Deformities Of Skeleton
3
4. The persistent opening between the oral and nasal cavity interferes with
sucking.
It can lead to inhalation of food into the lungs causing aspiration
(inhalation) pneumonia.
ii. Microcephaly:
The small sized skull is caused by some genetic defect.
iii. Arthritis:
It covers over 100 different types of inflammatory or degenerative
diseases that damage the joints.
iv. Osteoarthritis:
It is the most common chronic arthritis which is a degenerative joint
disease and is also caused by genetic defect.
Conti…..
4
5. 2: HORMONAL CAUSES:
i) osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a group of diseases in which;
Bone resorption ( demineralization) out paces bone deposits.
Bones become weak due to decrease in bone mass that makes up
skeleton.
In this case, bone mass is reduced and chemical composition of the
matrix remains normal.
Osteoporosis mainly occurs in aged women, which is related to
decreased estrogen level.
Other factors which may contribute include insufficient exercise, diet
poor in calcium and protein, smoking etc.
Conti….
5
6. Cure:
Estrogen replacement therapy ( ERT) offers the best protection against
osteoporosis bone fracture.
3: NUTRITIONAL CAUSES:
i) Osteomalacia ( Soft Bones):
It includes a number of disorders in which the bone receive inadequate
minerals.
Calcium salts are not deposited and hence bones soften and weaken.
Weight bearing bones of legs and pelvis bend and deform.
The main symptom is pain, when weight is put on affected bones.
Conti…..
6
7. ii. Rickets ( Dietary rickets):
It is another disease in children with bowed legs and deformed pelvis.
It is caused by deficiency of calcium or vitamin D in diet.
Cure
it is cured by vitamin D fortified milk and exposing skin to sunlight.
BONE DISORDERS
i) Disc slip
Each intervertebral disc is a cushion like pad composed of an inner semi
fluid nucleus pulposus which acts as a rubber ball to give disc its elasticity
and compressibility and a stronger outer ring of fibrocartilage, the annulus
fibrosis holds together successive vertebrate.
Conti…
7
8. The discs act as shock absorber during walking, jumping, running and to
lesser extent to bend laterally.
Severe of sudden physical trauma to spines for example bending
forward while lifting a heavy object may result in herniation one or
more discs.
The herniated disc (commonly known as slipped disc) usually involves
rupture of annulus fibrosus followed by protrusion of spongy nucleus
pulposus.
Conti…..
8
9. Effects
If protrusion presses spinal cord or on spinal nerves, it generates severe
pain or even destruction of these nervous structures.
Cure
Disc slip is treated with bed rest, tractio, pulling and pain killer.
If this fails disc may be removed surgically.
ii) Spondyolsis
It is the disease which causes immobility and fusion of vertebral joint.
Conti…..
9
10. iii) Sciatica
It is characterized by stabbing pain radiating over the course of sciatic
nerve.
Causes
It results due to injury of proximal sciatic nerve, which might follow a
fall, a herniated disc or improper administration of an injection into the
buttock.
This may result a number of lower limb impairment depending on the
precise nerve root injured.
Conti…..
10
11. When sciatic nerve is completely transected, the legs become nearly
useless.
They can not be flexed and all foot-ankle movement is lost.
Recovery
From sciatic injury is usually slow and incomplete.
iv) Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammatory or degenerative disease that damage joints.
It results in pain, stiffness, swelling of the joint.
Acute forms of arthritis usually result from bacterial invasion and are
treated with antibiotics.
Conti…..
11
12. Symptoms
Membrane lining the joint thickness.
Fluid production is decreased.
Which consequently leads to increased friction.
Chronic arthritis
Chronic arthritis includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty
arthritis.
Conti…..
12
