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MuscularSkeletal Systems

Musculoskeletal system includes our bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues. Our skeleton provides a framework for our muscles and other soft tissues. The musculoskeletal system provides form such as to maintain our posture, support our body’s weight, stability and movement to our body.

 Muscular Skeletal System:

The Muscular System:

– Skeletal muscle – the specialised tissue that is attached to bones that allows movement.

– Smooth muscle – located in various internal structures including the digestive tract, uterus and blood vessels.

– Cardiac muscle – the muscle specific to the heart.

Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders:

Musculoskeletal disorders are usually related to occupational ergonomic stressors, such as repetitive and stereotyped motions, forceful exertions, non-neutral postures or combinations of these exposures. Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligament, tendons and bones.

To diagnose musculoskeletal system disorders, doctors may request fpr CT Scan, X-Ray or MRI.

Common problems of skeletal system include osteoporosis, fracture, scoliosis, gout, etc.

Musculoskeletal physiotherapists are specialised physiotherapists (registered with AHPC, Singapore) who have undergone further studies in diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal injury management, prevention and treatment.

Usually, the physiotherapists would perform an examination of the muscles, bones and joints and use the techniques of inspection, palpation and manipulation. Palpation refers to a method of feeling with the fingers or hands to examine the size, consistency, texture, location and tenderness of a body part.

Major steps of a musculoskeletal examination involves in observing the patient from the front & back and to observe the patient’s spinal movement. Observe how the patient walks.

Musculoskeletal disorders include:

– joints, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout;

– bones, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia and associated fragility fractures;

– muscles, such as sarcopenia.

Musculoskeletal pain can be treated with physical therapy, exercise program, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID – to be prescribed by medical doctor) and injections (by medical staff). For more server pain, surgery may be the last option of treatment.