Musculoskeletal System Disorders

Musculoskeletal System Disorders

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Description of the disorder

This is an inborn disease of the musculoskeletal system that results in progressive degeneration of the muscles. It has an early onset, and almost all the affected patients are boys (Muscular Dystrophy Association, n.d.).

It is a common degenerative joint disease of aging that results in joint pain (CDC, 2020).

Clinical Manifestations

Initially, it affects the proximal muscles then the distal muscles. The lower extremity (LE) affectation precedes the upper extremity (UE). The signs and symptoms include difficulty walking, running, jumping, and pseudohypertrophy of the calf muscles. The weakness of the core muscles and LE weakness can result in waddling gait and lumbar lordosis. Finally, it leads to cardiorespiratory dysfunction during its terminal stages, ultimately resulting in death (Muscular Dystrophy Association, n.d.).

These include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the weight-bearing joints, which are more pronounced after vigorous use (i.e., running, walking for long distances). It also weakens the muscles t...