Understanding the human musculoskeletal system

The human musculoskeletal system is made up of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. They support your weight and assist you in moving.

Bones

The bones, which are structures that make up the skeleton, are the main part of our musculoskeletal system. These bones allow us to walk and perform other daily movements.

A human infant typically has about 270 bones which fuse to form 206 to 213 bones in an adult. The variation in the number of bones is because certain people may have a varying number of ribs, vertebrae, and digits.

There are three main layers to a bone. Periosteum is the tough membrane that covers and shields the outside of the bone.The compact bone that lies beneath the periosteum is white, hard, and smooth. It protects and supports the structure.When compared to compact bone, the inner core or layer of the bone is softer (spongy bone). It stores marrow by having tiny holes called pores.

Joints

There are different kinds of joints, including joints that do not move such as the suture joints in the skull. These joints are fixed in one place. There are also joints that are capable of movement such as those found in the vertebrae. 

Muscles

Muscles are made up of a lot of elastic fibres. The functions of these muscle types vary. Muscles allow you to run, jump, or perform other tasks.

Ligaments

The joint is surrounded by strong ligaments, which are tough, elastic bands of connective tissue. They provide support and restrict the joint's movement. Ligaments hold the bones together.

There are four main ligaments that hold your leg bones together and keep the knee stable. The cruciate ligaments are within the knee joint. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) crosses over the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in the back to form an X. The knee's front and back motions are controlled by the cruciate ligaments.

The collateral ligaments are on the sides of your knee. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is on the outside and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is on the inside. The knee's movement from side to side is controlled by them.

Tendons

The tendons are a different type of tough connective tissues that connect the muscle ends to your bone. These tendon structures typically look rope-like. They control joint movements.

Cartilage

The cartilage is a kind of tissue that covers the bone's surface at the joints. Cartilage aids in the reduction of friction from joint movement.

Common conditions of the musculoskeletal system

• Arthritis

  Arthritis is a condition that when one or more of the joints are inflamed. It causes joint stiffness, pain, and inflammation. There are several types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and septic arthritis.

  Osteoarthritis is a condition that can affect people of any age, but older people are more likely to develop the condition due to the breakdown of cartilage in their joints.

  Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout are three other forms of arthritis that can also cause joint pain and inflammation.

• Bone tumour

  An abnormal growth of cells within a bone is bone tumour. It may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). When bone cells start to divide abnormally and uncontrollably, they can form a mass or lump of tissue. Depending on the condition, bone tumours can be surgically removed and treated.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, and tingling sensation in your hands and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed and entrapped. If carpal tunnel syndrome is left untreated for an extended period of time, it can worsen and cause dysfunction of the hand, including loss of sensation in the fingers.

• Osteoporosis

  Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by a reduction in bone density and bone mass. This decreases bone strength and can lead to low impact trauma fractures (broken bones). Most common osteoporotic fractures occur in the hip, vertebra (spine bone), and wrist.

• Spine conditions

  Spine conditions include disc degeneration (intervertebral disks tend to wear and shrink), degenerative spondylolisthesis (difficulty for the spine to be in correct position), spinal stenosis (spinal cord narrows and adds pressure on the cord and spinal nerves), and scoliosis (abnormal curve of the spine).

• Sports injuries & trauma

  Sports injuries occur while playing sports or exercising. Sports injuries can result from accidents, poor training practices, inadequate equipment, and overuse of a body part. Not warming up or stretching enough before play or exercise can also lead to injuries.

  Some of the common sports injuries include:

  • Sprains and strains: A sprain is a ligament that becomes stretched or torn. The body's joints are supported and stabilised by ligaments and a damaged ligament may affect overall mobility.
  • Ligament tears: A ligament tear occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or forced to move in the wrong direction. These injuries are frequently the result of an abrupt fall, twist, or impact. Ligament injuries occur frequently, particularly in the knee, ankle, wrist, neck, finger, or a thumb. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the knee is a common injury in some sports.
  • Tendonitis: Tendonitis or tendinitis is a condition in which the connective tissues (tendons) that connect your muscles to your bones get inflamed. Tendonitis can be painful and often brought on by doing the same thing over and over. It frequently occurs in the Achilles tendon, base of the thumb, elbow, knee, shoulder, and hip.
  • Joint hyperextension: Hyperextension indicates excessive straightening (joint movement) in one direction. This means that the joint has had to move outside of its normal range of motion. As a result, the tissues surrounding the joint may suffer damage as a result and the ligaments that normally stabilise the joint can stretch or tear in more severe cases.
  • Meniscus tear, rotator cuff injuries

  Trauma include:

  • Fractures: The most common cause of fractures is seen when there is excessive force applied to the bone. When they are twisted, bones are its weakest. Fractures likely happen when there is a direct blow or kick to the body, falls, trauma, or both.

    • Closed fractures (broken bone that does not puncture the skin)
    • Open fractures (broken bone that punctures the skin)
    • Stress fractures (small cracks in the bone due to repetitive movement or action or overuse)
  • Dislocations (a joint forced apart and out): When the bones of a joint are out of place, dislocation occurs. A joint can be completely or partially dislocated, which is also known as subluxation. Trauma, such as a car accident or a fall, or weakening of muscles and tendons, can result in a dislocation.

  For more information about musculoskeletal conditions, symptoms, and diagnosis, visit gleneagles.com.my/medical-specialties/orthopaedic-trauma-surgery

Ways to keep your musculoskeletal system healthy

By taking care and prioritising the health of your musculoskeletal system, you can maintain your overall health and enjoy greater physical function, mobility, and quality of life.

You can keep your bones, joints, and muscles healthy by:

• Regular exercise: Regular exercise and physical activity help to strengthen our bones, muscles, and joints, while also improving flexibility and balance. Be sure to incorporate both cardiovascular exercise and weight-bearing exercises into your routine. Muscles can be strengthened to support your joints and prevent damage.
• Practice good posture: Be mindful of your posture and body mechanics during daily activities in order to prevent unnecessary strain on your joints and muscles.
• Adequate rest: Get adequate rest and quality sleep to allow recovery time for your muscles and bones to heal and grow.
• Maintain an ideal weight: Keep a healthy body weight. A variety of health issues can arise as a result of carrying extra weight on your bones and joints.
• Eat healthy: Choose healthy foods, including milk for strong bones, a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, and lean protein.
• Quit smoking: Your body's blood flow is reduced when you smoke. To stay healthy, your bones, muscles, and soft tissues need enough blood flow.
• Regular check-up: Participate in age-appropriate health screenings and regular examinations to help identify any potential issues early on and prevent more serious problems from developing.

Treatment options for musculoskeletal conditions

R.I.C.E. method

This method is commonly used as the initial treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.

• Rest: Take a break from the activity that caused the injury. Resting the affected area and avoiding activities that cause pain and irritation can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.

• Ice: Apply cold packs for 20 minutes several times in a day. However, it should be noted that ice should not be applied to the skin directly. Follow your doctor’s instruction.

• Compression: Wearing an elastic compression bandage will keep you from getting any more swollen or bleeding.

• Elevation: While lying down, elevate the injury higher than your heart to reduce swelling.

Pain relief

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Topical creams or patches containing NSAIDs may also be prescribed by your doctor depending on your condition.

Corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation in more severe cases.

Physiotherapy

Stretching and range of motion exercises for the shoulder are part of the treatment. However, before stretching, heat may be used to help loosen the shoulder. 

Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, physiotherapy can help to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore range of motion. Apart from exercises, your physiotherapist may also use techniques such as ultrasound, massage, or electrical stimulation to help reduce pain and promote healing.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary if other treatment modalities do not alleviate your symptoms.

For more information about the types of treatment options for musculoskeletal conditions, visit gleneagles.com.my/medical-specialties/orthopaedic-trauma-surgery/treatment

Make an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

Speak to your doctor to know more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for orthopaedic conditions. The caring and multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals are available for consultation and to provide the best care. 

Get in touch with us to book an appointment with an Orthopaedic specialist at Gleneagles Hospital today.

The caring team of physiotherapists and clinical rehabilitative team specialists at Gleneagles Hospitals are available for consultation and to provide the best care. Get in touch with us to book an appointment today.

If you encounter a situation that requires medical attention, please seek immediate medical attention at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.