Skeletal Disease

The 206 bones of the skeletal system provide a strong framework upon which muscles, tissues and organs can attach. This structure also protects your internal organs and allows your body to move around freely. Like any other body system, disease can affect your skeletal system.Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects your joints, such as the knees, or a portion of your spinal column. Typical symptoms of this condition include joint pain, swelling and stiffness accompanied by a reduction in the ability to freely move your joints. Bone cancer, though uncommon, is cancer that originates within a bone of your body causing bones to weaken. Individuals with bone cancer may experience fatigue, bone pain or frequent bone fractures.Though any bone can be affected by cancer, bone cancer most frequently occurs in longer bones, such as those in your legs or arms.Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become brittle and weak due to the extensive loss of bone tissue. Spina bifida is a genetic birth defect that effects the development of the spinal cord while a baby is in the uterus. When present, this defect is typically detected and treated before a baby is born. X-rays, MRIs, bone density tests and arthroscopy are some of the primary diagnostic tools used to detect diseases and deformities of the skeletal system. Bone scans and bone marrow biopsies are used to diagnose cancer.