Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 5 The Skeletal System 161 Bursitis Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning of the moving tissues around a joint. Bursitis is an overuse injury that results in irritation and inflammation of the bursae due to friction. For example, runners who overtrain may experience inflammation of the bursa between the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus. Symptoms of bursitis include pain and sometimes swelling. SELF CHECK 1. Which structures are affected when a joint is sprained? 2. What types of actions may result in dislocations? 3. What are the causes and symptoms of bursitis? Arthritis Arthritis is a common pathology associated with aging. It is characterized by joint inflammation accompanied by pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling. Arthritis is not a single condition but a large family of pathologies. Over one hundred different types of arthritis have been identified. Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks healthy joint tissues (Figure 5.38). It is the most debilitating Although the incidence of osteoporosis among female athletes is unknown, the consequences of the female athlete triad are potentially tragic. Amenor- rheic, premenopausal female athletes are known to have an elevated rate of stress fractures. More important, the loss of bone that occurs may be irreversible, and osteoporotic wedge fractures of the vertebrae can ruin posture for life. SELF CHECK 1. How does osteoporosis differ from osteopenia? 2. What is the female athlete triad? Common Joint Injuries The freely movable joints of the human body are subjected to significant wear over the course of a lifetime. Both acute and overuse injuries affect the joints. Sprains Sprains are injuries caused by abnormal motion of the articulating bones that results in overstretching or tearing of ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissues crossing a joint. The most common site of sprain is the ankle, and the most common mechanism is injury to the lateral ligaments. Lateral ankle sprains occur frequently because the ankle is a major weight-bearing joint and because there is less ligamentous support on the lateral than on the medial side of the ankle. Pain and swelling are the symptoms of joint sprains. Immediate treatment should include intermittent icing and elevation. Dislocations When one of the articulating bones is displaced from the joint socket, the injury is called a dislocation of that joint. Dislocations usually result from falls or forceful collisions. Common dislocation sites include the shoulders, fingers, knees, elbows, and jaw. Signs and symptoms include visible joint deformity, pain, swelling, and some loss of movement capability. Chaowalit Seeneha/Shutterstock.com Figure 5.38 This person’s hands have been disfigured by rheumatoid arthritis. Most patients take medication for the intense pain.