Joint Disorders

Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis


Rheumatoid arthritis is a common form of arthritis which attacks the joints and their surrounding tissues. This happens because the body's immune system attacks its own tissues mistakenly. Additionally, it can cause swelling within the synovial membrane which can easily cause pain and discomfort.  Although the cause of this disorder is unknown, previous cases have been inked to genetics, hormones, and infections.

About 1.3 million of the United States is said to have it. Although it commonly appears among middle aged adults, and in most cases women, young juvenile cases of rheumatoid arthritis have also been noted. 

As tissues become inflamed, the disease activates. Common symptoms include fatigue, muscle stiffness, red or swollen area, and even slight fever. It is common that the disease strike both symmetrical sides of the body; for example if one were to obtain rheumatoid arthritis in the left carpal, it is likely to later appear in the right

 

Causing weakness and fatigue, it can also damage other organs of the body or continue to attack other joints if not treated properly. By taking detailed x-rays, extracting synovial fluid form the surrounding joint, and searching for a "rheumatoid factor" one can be diagnosed and further treated with alleviating pain killer prescriptions or cortisone injections in the joint which can ease pain and allow further mobiliy.  "First Line medications" are used to treat rheumatiod arthritis with the intention of acting immediately while "Second Line Medications" are often long- term alleviating prescriptions which respond continuously. Although there is no direct cure for rheumatoid arthritis, excercise  such as swimming and mobility of the joints can help prevent and even alleviate pain and discomfort.

         

                

Works Cited

"Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - PubMed Health." Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001487/>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis - PubMed Health." Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001467/>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis - PubMed Health." Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001467/>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis - RA - Center: Symptoms, Pain Relief, Causes, Tests, and Medications." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/default.htm>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYTutNDWPKg>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis." Arthritis Foundation | Symptoms Treatments | Prevention Tips | Pain Relief Advice. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.arthritis.org/rheumatoid-arthritis.php>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis: MedlinePlus." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rheumatoidarthritis.html>.

RheumatoidArthritis.com - Living with RA. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.rheumatoidarthritis.com/ra/>.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Rheumatoid Arthritis - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020>.

"Synovial Membrane Definition - Medical Dictionary Definitions of Popular Medical Terms Easily Defined on MedTerms." Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33987>.

"What Is The Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis And Severe Degenerative Osteoarthritis And Treatments? - AllStop Arthritis Health Blog - Arthritis News." Skin Diseases :: Skin Rashes That Itch :: Itchy Skin Problems. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://allstop.com/arthritis-news/arthritis-treatments/what-is-the-difference-between-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-severe-degenerative-osteoarthritis-and-treatments>.

Bone Fractures: Anatomy & Physiology

System: Skeletal

Topic: Bone Fractures

          

             What is a bone Fracture? 

          Bianca Lopez

A bone fracture is an injury or break in a bone. A bone breaks when there is a force which a bone cannot withstand. There are many situations that can cause a bone fracture like a fall or a car accident. The symptoms of a bone fracture depend on the type of bone that was broken, or the damage to muscles, nerves, or blood vessels. Bone fractures also vary among children and adults because children’s bones are more flexible than adults’ bones. Adult's fractures heal slower than children’s fractures. Many     people fracture at least one bone during their lifetime.

Types of Fractures

Olivia Ceja

Fractures are classified by the cause and nature of the initial break. A traumatic fracture is one due to an initial injury. A pathologic fracture is one caused by a pre-existing conditions or disease. An open fracture is one exposed to the outside world by a rupture to the skin, while a closed fracture remains protected by the skin. Fractures can further be classified by the size, orientation, and location of the break. Further classifications of bone fractures include greenstick, transverse, fissured, oblique, comminuted, and spiral.  Greenstick fractures are incomplete and do not go completely through the entire bone. Transverse fractures are completely across the bone while the break happens at a right angle to the main axis of the bone. A fissure fracture is one of a longitudinal break that does not go completely through the bone. An oblique fracture is one at an angle other than 90 degrees and usually goes completely through the bone. A comminuted fracture is one that completely destroys the bone into smaller pieces. A spiral fracture is caused by pressure when a bone is twisted and can cause a seemingly circular break in response to such jagged motion. All of the above are few of the various types of fractures.

         




      

       

How to Repair a Bone Fracture

Samantha Razo

A fracture can be caused by an injury or a disease. Fractures can cause the broken part of the bone to pierce through the skin, or the skin can remain in place”. Immobilizing the place of where the fracture has occurred by putting it in a cast is one way of repairing a fractured bone. In some cases surgical assistance is needed it takes the form of a bone graft, where bone is replaced from another part of the body where it is not needed or from another’s body whether that other is living or not also known as a organ donor. Both types of bone grafts are commonly used in spine surgery. Fractured bones can be repaired by using plates, nails, screws, or pins to hold them in place and keep them together. Surgery is recommended for complicated fractures that cannot be aligned with a simple cast.

Works Cited:

"Bone Fracture Repair: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002966.htm>.

Bone Fracture Types, Symptoms, Healing, Repair, Treatment and Pictures. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.bonefractures.org/>.

"Bone Fractures: Cause, Symptoms, Treatment Options, Prevention, Therapy, Types." MamasHealth.com: Simple, Easy to Understand Information about Health. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.mamashealth.com/bodyparts/fracture.asp>.

"Broken Bones | Fractures." InnerBody.com | Human Body, Anatomy Charts, Anatomical Models. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.innerbody.com/image/skel06.html>.

"Bone Fractures: Cause, Symptoms, Treatment Options, Prevention, Therapy, Types." MamasHealth.com: Simple, Easy to Understand Information about Health. Mamas Health Inc., 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.mamashealth.com/bodyparts/fracture.asp>.

"Bone Fractures." Bone Fracture Types, Symptoms, Healing, Repair, Treatment and Pictures. Orthopedic Doctor, 2010. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.bonefractures.org/>.

"Broken Bones or Fractures - Cedars-Sinai." Cedars-Sinai – A Non-Profit Hospital in Los Angeles. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Broken-Bones-or-Fractures.aspx>.

"How the Body Works : Repair of Bone - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVougiCEgH8>.

Pillai, Prabhakar. "Different Types of Bone Fractures." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-types-of-bone-fractures.html>."The Facts About Broken Bones." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/broken_bones.html>.

"Types of Bone Fractures: Buckle Fracture, Stress Fracture, Comminuted Fracture, and More." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-basic-information>.

Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Benjamin. "Fracture Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment by MedicineNet.com." Fracture Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Ed. William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR. Medicine Net Inc., 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.medicinenet.com/fracture/article.htm>