The Aging Musculoskeletal system Essays

Submitted By Shelly-Baugh
Words: 355
Pages: 2

The Aging Musculoskeletal System At the age of 84, your bones have taken a toll throughout your life time. This leaves you susceptible to a few bone diseases. Three of the most common diseases are Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Muscular Atrophy. With Osteoporosis, it is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to fracture. Usually the bone loses density, which measures the amount of calcium and minerals in the bone. Since our bones undergo bone remodeling quite often in the younger years we do not think of the potential or likelihood of being diagnosed with Osteoporosis or Osteoarthritis. However as we age our bones do not recover and remodel as fast, causing loss of bone density. The more mass that is “banked” when younger leads to the smaller risk of having the disease. Much like Osteoporosis is Osteoarthritis. The more wear and tear you put on your bones and joints the more susceptible you are to Osteoarthritis. With these disorders maintain a popular quo among the elderly, the future diagnosis is generally inevitable. An 84 year old thin female has more than likely already been diagnosed with one of the two disorders, if not both. Osteoarthritis can be very painful and can on more than one occasion hinder any plans that have been set forth, from a trip to the grocery store or an entire vacation. This is especially true of those who have the arthritis in their hands, fingers and knees. The final of the three, dependent on how you look at it, can be the