ATLAND Nursing
Musculoskeletal System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
The main functions of the Musculoskeletal System
1. To provide movement.
2. To provide support.
3. Protects internal organs.
4. Storage of mineral salts e.g. calcium.
5. Production of red blood cells.
ATLAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
, 6. Bones provide attachment for muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Structure
1. Skeleton
Comprises of the axial and appendicular portion.
The axial component- cranium, ribs, and vertebrae.
The appendicular component- shoulder, limbs, and hips.
2. Bones
These are tough connective tissues that are comprised of calcium deposits.
They store calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
The bone marrow is involved in RBCs production.
The types of bones include long, short, flat, and irregular.
They can appear spongy or dense.
Bones growth occurs at the end of the epiphyseal cartilage and halts at the ages of 18-25
years. Whereas the width occurs throughout life from osteoblasts activity but decreases
with advanced age.
There is usually a balance between the activity of osteoblasts (bone formation) and
osteoclasts (bone resorption).
Nclex Tip: Bone resorption increases with age and predisposes the elderly to injury.
Bone healing occurs in the following stages: hematoma formation, hematoma granulation,
callus formation, osteoblastic proliferation, bone remodelling, and bone healing
completely.
ATLAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,3. Joints
This is where two bones meet, whose surfaces are covered by cartilage, enclosed by a
capsule, which forms a cavity that is filled by synovial fluid.
The synovial fluid is secreted by the synovial membrane and protects the surfaces against
friction.
Range of motion (ROM) is the degree of movement at the joint.
The types include amphiarthrosis, diarthrosis, and synarthrosis.
4. Muscles
Attach to the bones by tendons.
Maintain posture.
Movement occurs when muscles contract and relax, a process that involves calcium as a
catalyst, adenosine triphosphate, acetylcholine, and acetylcholinesterase.
5. Ligaments and tendons
These are tough cartilage that connects bones to muscles (tendons), and bones to bones
(ligament).
ATLAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, Risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders
Calcium deficiency
Infections
Trauma
Obesity
Autoimmune disorders
Medications
Falls
Metabolic disorders
Tumors
Postmenopausal state
Assessment
Take a complete history of the client’s age, pain, trauma, medications, infections,
nutritional status
Assess for a range of motion, mobility, and muscle strength.
Assess for the peripheral nervous system and neurovascular system.
Assess for pain on a scale of 0-10.
Assess the use of an assistive device, assisted walking, or ability to walk unassisted.
Assess for injury or fall risk.
ATLAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
Musculoskeletal System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
The main functions of the Musculoskeletal System
1. To provide movement.
2. To provide support.
3. Protects internal organs.
4. Storage of mineral salts e.g. calcium.
5. Production of red blood cells.
ATLAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
, 6. Bones provide attachment for muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Structure
1. Skeleton
Comprises of the axial and appendicular portion.
The axial component- cranium, ribs, and vertebrae.
The appendicular component- shoulder, limbs, and hips.
2. Bones
These are tough connective tissues that are comprised of calcium deposits.
They store calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
The bone marrow is involved in RBCs production.
The types of bones include long, short, flat, and irregular.
They can appear spongy or dense.
Bones growth occurs at the end of the epiphyseal cartilage and halts at the ages of 18-25
years. Whereas the width occurs throughout life from osteoblasts activity but decreases
with advanced age.
There is usually a balance between the activity of osteoblasts (bone formation) and
osteoclasts (bone resorption).
Nclex Tip: Bone resorption increases with age and predisposes the elderly to injury.
Bone healing occurs in the following stages: hematoma formation, hematoma granulation,
callus formation, osteoblastic proliferation, bone remodelling, and bone healing
completely.
ATLAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,3. Joints
This is where two bones meet, whose surfaces are covered by cartilage, enclosed by a
capsule, which forms a cavity that is filled by synovial fluid.
The synovial fluid is secreted by the synovial membrane and protects the surfaces against
friction.
Range of motion (ROM) is the degree of movement at the joint.
The types include amphiarthrosis, diarthrosis, and synarthrosis.
4. Muscles
Attach to the bones by tendons.
Maintain posture.
Movement occurs when muscles contract and relax, a process that involves calcium as a
catalyst, adenosine triphosphate, acetylcholine, and acetylcholinesterase.
5. Ligaments and tendons
These are tough cartilage that connects bones to muscles (tendons), and bones to bones
(ligament).
ATLAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, Risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders
Calcium deficiency
Infections
Trauma
Obesity
Autoimmune disorders
Medications
Falls
Metabolic disorders
Tumors
Postmenopausal state
Assessment
Take a complete history of the client’s age, pain, trauma, medications, infections,
nutritional status
Assess for a range of motion, mobility, and muscle strength.
Assess for the peripheral nervous system and neurovascular system.
Assess for pain on a scale of 0-10.
Assess the use of an assistive device, assisted walking, or ability to walk unassisted.
Assess for injury or fall risk.
ATLAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
