Assessment Description:
Osteoporosis and scoliosis are conditions that commonly affect the axial skeleton, specifically the spine. Discuss how these change the curvatures of the spine, and find 1 to 2 ways these can be treated or improved.
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SOLUTION to BIO-201: Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Topic 3 DQ 1.
SAMPLE 1
Hello everyone,
Osteoporosis and scoliosis are some of the disorders known to have an impact on the spine. Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder evidenced by lower bone mass and enhanced brittleness of the spine, which may lead to fractures. Such fractures most commonly affect the vertebrae, resulting in the loss of height and the formation of the exaggerated dorsal curvature called kyphosis. Dittmar et al. (2023) state that Osteoporosis of the spine destroys its structure and leads not only to habitual poor posture but also greatly reduces the patient’s quality of life, plagued by constant pain and limited mobility.
Scoliosis, conversely, is a side-to-side curve of the spine that normally starts in the teenage years. While in normal conditions, there are gentle curves when viewing the side of the spine, in scoliosis, it looks like an S or C when viewed from the front or back. Such curvature may lead to unleveled shoulders, protruding ribs, and displaced waist and hips. Scoliosis is classified in terms of its severity, and though many affected people experience slight discomfort in their lower backs, severe scoliosis can cause substantial pain, respiratory problems, and a decline in functional capacity due to distortion of the spine and rib cage.
Osteoporosis and scoliosis do not necessarily have to be permanent conditions, as they can be treated, and their status can be enhanced. For osteoporosis, drugs like bisphosphonates can minimize the bone loss rate and decrease the chances of fractures. Further, exercises that involve weight bearing, calcium and vitamin D intake, and changes in lifestyle such as quitting smoking and less intake of alcohol are also advised to have strong bones and to improve bone mass. For scoliosis, treatment depends on the severity and progression of the curve. According to Lenz et al. (2021), mild scoliosis may be managed with regular monitoring and physical therapy to improve posture and muscle strength. Notably, in moderate to severe cases, bracing can be used to prevent further curvature progression, especially in growing children.
References
Dittmar, J. M., Mulder, B., Tran, A., Mitchell, P. D., Jones, P. D., Inskip, S. A., ... & Robb, J. E. (2023). Caring for the injured: Exploring the immediate and long-term consequences of injury in medieval Cambridge, England. International Journal of Paleopathology, 40, 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2022.07.004
Lenz, M., Oikonomidis, S., Harland, A., Fürnstahl, P., Farshad, M., Bredow, J., ... & Scheyerer, M. J. (2021). Scoliosis and Prognosis—a systematic review regarding patient-specific and radiological predictive factors for curve progression. European Spine Journal, 30, 1813-1822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-06817-0