Bone disorders not only limit your daily activities, but also interfere with various body functions that have an impact on health. This condition can be caused by various things. Therefore, it is important to recognize various bone disorders so that treatment can be done early on.
Bone is a tissue that plays an important role in giving shape to the body and supporting the body as a whole. In addition, bones also function to help the body to move. Bone tissue will continue to grow and renew itself throughout your life.
Recognizing Bone Disorders
Bones are the parts that make up the skeleton of the body. This strong bone tissue is composed of protein and various minerals, especially calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate.
In addition to serving as a support and forming posture, bones also function as a place for calcium storage and regulate calcium balance in the body.
Because its function is so important, bone health should always be maintained. However, sometimes there are some bone disorders that can occur. Some types of bone disorders that are quite common include:
1. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone disorders. Osteoporosis occurs when the formation of new bone cannot compensate for the damage to the old bone, causing the bones to become weak and brittle or porous.
Osteoporosis often occurs with aging. These bone disorders also tend to be more common in postmenopausal women.
In addition, there are several other factors that can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, namely genetic factors, smoking and alcohol consumption habits, certain medical conditions, and long-term use of corticosteroid drugs.
In its early stages, osteoporosis is usually asymptomatic. However, some people with osteoporosis may experience back pain because the spine is starting to crack or become brittle, the body is getting shorter, or the posture is stooped. People with osteoporosis are also at high risk of fractures.
2. Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is caused by a bacterial infection of the bone. In children, bone infections generally occur in the arms and legs. While in adults, this infection usually appears in the hips, spine, and legs.
Bone infections are not to be taken lightly. If left unchecked, disorders of this one bone can make the bones become permanently damaged.
There are several symptoms caused by osteomyelitis, including fever, fatigue, the infected bone feels painful redness, and swelling, and difficulty moving the painful bone.
3. Bone tumors
Bone tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous) which can spread to all body tissues. Bone tumors occur when there is an increase in the number of excess bone cells, thus forming a mass or clump of bone tissue.
The cause of this disease is not known with certainty, but tumors often occur when parts of the body are growing rapidly. Some types of bone tumors include: giant cell tumor, enchondroma, and malignant bone tumors such as osteosarcoma.
4. Spondylosis
Spondylosis occurs as a result of the aging process and generally occurs at the age of over 40 years. With age, the bones and connective tissue in the spine often wear out, including the discs that are the cushions between the vertebrae.
Weakened and worn spinal discs can protrude, then press or pinch the nerves.
Spondylosis can occur without symptoms or with symptoms. Treatment for this disorder aims to reduce pain in the back and neck, as well as other symptoms caused by pinched nerves.
One type of treatment that is done is by administering painkillers or by physiotherapy.
5. Osteophytes
Osteophytes are disorders of the bones in the form of bony prominences (bone spurs) that grow on the spine or around the joints. Usually, osteophytes form next to joints affected by osteoarthritis.
Osteophytes can grow from any bone, but are most common in the neck, shoulders, knees, lower back, fingers or toes, feet or heels.
Bone disorders, regardless of type, need to be treated by an orthopedic or bone specialist. To treat it, the doctor will perform a physical examination and undergo supporting examinations, such as X-rays and blood tests, to determine the diagnosis and type of treatment. Proper treatment is very important to prevent complications and further bone problems.
