The Encyclopedia of Muscle and Skeletal Systems and Disorders (Facts on File Library of Health and Living)

412 Pages·2005·1.38 MB·English

by  Mary Harwell Sayler

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
THE MUSCLE AND SKELETAL
SYSTEMS AND DISORDERS
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
THE MUSCLE AND SKELETAL
SYSTEMS AND DISORDERS
Mary Harwell Sayler
Foreword by
Lori Siegel, M.D.
Associate Professor and Medical Education Director
The Finch University of Health Science/
The Chicago Medical School
The Encyclopedia of the Muscle and Skeletal Systems and Disorders
Copyright © 2005 by Mary Harwell Sayler
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval
systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact:
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New York NY 10001
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sayler, Mary Harwell.
The encyclopedia of the muscle and skeletal systems and disorders / Mary Harwell Sayler ; foreword by
Lori Siegel.
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8160-5447-9 (hard cover : alk. paper)
1. Musculoskeletal system—Diseases—Encyclopedias. 2. Musculoskeletal system—Encyclopedias.
[DNLM: 1. Musculoskeletal System—Encyclopedias—English. 2. Musculoskeletal Diseases—
Encyclopedias—English. WE 13 S275e 2005] I. Title.
RC925.5.S29 2005
616.7’003—dc22
2003026606
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Text and cover design by Cathy Rincon
Printed in the United States of America
VB FOF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
To my husband, Bob, who gives a great massage
and to my chiropractor, Dr. David Nelson,
who literally saved my neck
h
CONTENTS
Foreword ix
Preface xiii
Acknowledging You, the Reader—
And Other Thanks xv
Introduction xvii
Entries A–Z 1
Appendixes 313
Bibliography 351
Index 355
About the Authors 389
FOREWORD
Stand Up for What You Believe may appear overwhelming, a logical and organized
in . . . or Can You? approach is essential. A strong background in the
normal is imperative before diagnosing and manag-
There is always an argument about which organ ing a variation from that apparent normalcy.
system is most important. Some say it is the heart. With all the basics of the anatomy of the mus-
Without the heart, the brain would not get nour- culoskeletal system and its structures in check,
ishment and survive. Some say it is the brain. diagnosing and treating patients with muscu-
Although the heart can beat without a brain, to do loskeletal problems is not an easy task. However, it
more than merely exist an organism needs to have can be organized into a logical and sequential
some degree of consciousness and purpose. I approach. The health care provider must view each
would argue that both the heart and the brain are individual as a unique person whose concerns may
important. However, the musculoskeletal system is not be organized in the manner in which the
the most important because it allows us to act, health care provider was trained. The patients do
react, and be human! That is not to diminish the not “read the book” or truly understand what is
importance of the heart and brain. As is very clear, happening where and for what reason, although
the former provides nourishment for the muscu- they are often able to explain their symptoms and
loskeletal structures while the latter controls the come up with their own diagnosis, which can be
complex movements of which the structures are quite creative. It is incumbent on the health care
capable. If not for our musculoskeletal system, we provider to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
would be amorphous blob creatures unable to do In order to solve the puzzle appropriately, one
the exquisite activities that we do like dance, run, must have decision trees that guide the diagnosis
show expression, and communicate. The brain and then ultimately the treatment. When someone
allows thought, and the musculoskeletal system begins to describe a musculoskeletal symptom, the
allows follow-through and expression of the first decision is whether the symptom is truly a
thought. joint process or an area around the joint or soft tis-
The musculoskeletal system is complex and com- sue. If there is a true joint problem, the patient is
posed of many different types of tissues and cells. A likely to experience a diffuse achiness and not be
malfunction of any part of these components can able to pinpoint an exact location of the pain. Also
ultimately affect the structures around it and cause even though the pain may seem to be coming from
pain, deformity, and progressive physical impair- a specific area, more often than not the offending
ment. When assessing a patient with a potential joint is proximal to where the pain is felt. Also with
problem in the musculoskeletal system, the health true joint problems, the patient will experience a
care professional must be cognizant of all the struc- decreased passive range of motion as he or she is
tures and their intimate relationships. Although it examined.
ix