Your musculoskeletal system, or skeletal system, is your body’s biggest supporter. It gives your body shape and holds your organs in place. But it’s more than just that.
What is Your Skeletal System?
Your skeletal system plays an important role in your body and overall health and well-being. Its major functions include:
- Shape – Your skeletal system provides the shape of your body and supports your weight.
- Movement – Your joints, connective tissues and muscles work together to push and pull parts of your body when you move.
- Protection – Think of your skeletal system as a suit of armor. It protects all your organs from head to toe.
What makes up your skeletal system?
Do you remember when your high school science teacher would show you a plastic skeleton? This may be the first thing you picture when you hear “skeletal system." It does contain your bones, but it also is made of your:
- Muscles – There are more than 600 muscles in your body. These tightly woven, stretchy fibers help you do everything from walking or jumping to digesting food.
- Cartilage – This strong, flexible tissue absorbs shock in your joints.
- Ligaments – These bands of tissues connect your bones.
- Tendons – These cords connect muscles to bones.
- Joints – This is where any two bones meet. It contains your muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
Common Skeletal System Issues
Because your skeletal system covers your entire body, health conditions and injuries do happen. Some common symptoms include:
- pain, both muscle and bone
- stiffness
- swelling
- bruising
- feeling heat or warmth
- reduced range of motion
- feeling a popping or grinding
Sometimes these symptoms can point to more serious conditions and injuries. It's important to pay attention to signs and symptoms and understand your body. This includes:
- damage to your bones or connective tissues, like arthritis, tendinitis or osteoporosis
- autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- injuries from trauma, like falls, car accidents, sports injuries, broken bones or pulled muscles
Tests and Treatments to Keep Your Skeletal System Healthy
If you're experiencing pain or numerous symptoms that aren't normal for you, your doctor may request testing. You may need:
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- CT scans
- MRIs
- Bone density scan
Treatment may vary based on your test results, injuries or symptoms. Common treatments include:
- Medication – over-the-counter medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Your doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid or medication specific to your diagnosis.
- Immobilization – this includes a brace, splint, sling or cast after an injury to hold your body in a stable position to recover.
- Physical therapy – working with a physical therapist can help you strengthen targeted muscles and increase flexibility.
- Joint replacement – for more serious situations, you may needa partial or total joint replacement surgery. For example, hips and knees are commonly replaced.
What are ways to keep your skeletal system healthy?
Maintain your health and well-being by eating healthy foods and exercising. It's also important to get regular checkups from your doctor. General safety tips include:
- wear the right gear when playing sports or exercising
- warm-up and cool-down when engaging in physical activity
- wear your seatbelt in the car at all times
- free your home and workspace of clutter that poses a tripping hazard
- use proper tools and equipment
It's important to keep your skeletal system healthy so you can feel your best and continue your normal routine.
Resources for TRS-Active Care and TRS-Care Standard
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Resources for TRS-Care Medicare
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