CEHE MED280 2020 April Week 2 Discussion Latest

MED280 Skeletal and Muscular Systems

Week 2 Discussion

Discussion 1 - Functions and Types of Joints Learning Objective Covered

LO 01.04 - Identify the types of joints and their role within the skeletal system

Career Relevancy

In your career as a Medical Assistant, you will use your knowledge of joints and their functions to treat patients. Your knowledge will help you ask relevant questions to determine how long an office visit might last. You will also be able to dialogue with the patient during their visit and document their symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, weakness, and/or pain. Additionally, as a Medical Assistant, you may be responsible for scheduling an MRI or another diagnostic study, depending on the physician’s evaluation. Finally, you will use your interpersonal skills to help ensure the patient is comfortable in the office.

Background

Joint pain is a common reason for patients to seek medical advice and treatment, and the pain can range from mild to severe. Depending on the root of the level of pain, there may be another underlying problem. To prepare you for your role in diagnosing and treating patients with joint pain, we’ll go over the types of joints and their roles within the skeletal system.

Before we go any further, watch Joints: Crash Course A&P #20 (9:22 min)—it provides a fun overview of what joints are and the types of joints found in the body.

Types of Joints

A joint serves as the connecting point between two bones in the skeletal system. Joints can be classified in two ways: by their degree of movement or by the type of present tissue. Synarthrosis, amphiarthrosis, and diarthrosis joints are the types of joints that are classified by their degree of movement.

Synarthrosis joints cannot move.

Amphiarthrosis joints can move to some extent.

Diarthrosis joints can move freely.

Fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints are the types of joints that are classified by the type of connective tissue.

Fibrous joints connect bones with fibrous tissue.

Cartilaginous joints connect bones with cartilage.

Synovial joints have a cavity that is filled with fluid between the connecting bones.

Roles of Joints

 

The main function or role of joints is to allow movement in our bodies.

Fibrous Joints. Even though they don’t aid in movement, fibrous joints serve to provide stability and protection. There are three different types: sutures joints, syndesmosis joints, and gomphosis joints. Sutures connect the bones in the skull, help give the face its shape, and protect the brain. Syndesmoses connect bones that are farther apart, as is the case with the tibia and fibula in the lower leg. Gomphoses hold teeth in place.

Cartilaginous Joints. These joints are slightly moveable, but they are less stable than fibrous joints. Cartilaginous joints can be made up of two different types of cartilage: either the flexible and very elastic hyaline cartilage or the stronger and less flexible fibrocartilage. Hyaline cartilaginous joints include the joints between the bones of the rib cage. Fibrocartilage is primarily found in the joints between the backbones. This fibrocartilage supports the bones while also allowing some limited range of motion.

Synovial Joints. With six different types, synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body, and they offer the greatest amount of mobility, allowing for various body movements. Depending on their shape and the movements they permit, synovial joints can be categorized into the following groups:

Hinge—Hinge joints allow the body to bend and straighten in one direction. Example: the joints in elbows, ankles, and knees.

Saddle—Saddle joints are flexible, allowing various movements such as circular, side-to-side, and bending and straightening. Picture a saddle a rider might use when riding a horse—this is similar to what a saddle joint looks like. Example: the joints between the thumb and flat palm of your hand.

Plane—Plane joints allow bones to move in a gliding motion. Example: the joints between the bones of the wrists and feet.

Pivot—Pivot joints allow bones to rotate in a side-to-side motion. Example: the joint near the base of the skull; allows the head to move from side to side.

Condyloid—Condyloid joints are flexible and allow several types of movements such as straightening, bending, moving side-to-side, and moving in a circular motion. Example: the joint that connects bones in the forearm to the bones in the wrist.

Ball-and-socket—Ball-and-socket joints offer the greatest range of motion including bending, straightening, moving side-to-side, and moving in either circular or rotational motions. Example: the joints in the hips and shoulders.

Common Joint Diagnoses

The most common causes of joint pain are arthritis or arthralgia, but it can also be the result of inflammation of the soft tissues (tendons, ligaments, cartilage), muscles, or bones. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two of the most common joint complaints, and the symptoms are fatigue, stiffness, pain, swelling, and mobility issues. 

Resources and References

Bailey, R. (2018, September 28). Types of Joints in the Human Body. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/types-of-joints-in-the-body-4173736 (Links to an external site.)

CrashCourse. (2015, May 26). Joints: Crash Course A&P #20. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/DLxYDoN634c (Links to an external site.)

Quinn, M. (2018, September 29). Classification of Joints. Retrieved from https://teachmeanatomy.info/the-basics/joints-basic/classification-of-joints/ (Links to an external site.)

Prompt

As we've discussed, there are numerous joints in the human body. Because of the intricacies of each joint and the role each plays in the ranges of motion of the body as a whole, consider what joint complaints patients might come to you for treatment. Out of all of the synovial joints, which joint do you think might be the most common source of joint pain? Consider which synovial joint is the most common joint pain and the various treatments you might suggest to the patient. Also, consider the opioid crisis currently gripping the United States.

For your initial post, examine the major joint pain considerations in relation to the structure of the skeleton and explore whether narcotics that are habit-forming should be used to treat the specific joint pain you examined, explain your stance.

For your peer replies, consider other alternatives to the suggested pain management approach given by your peer and argue why it might be better.

For your citation, you might use articles that show examples of common types of joint pain. You can also find articles from experts that suggest how to treat various types of joint complaints.

Your initial and reply posts should work to develop a group understanding of this topic. Challenge each other. Build on each other. Always be respectful but discuss this and figure it out together.

Reply Requirements

You must submit:

1 main post of 150+ words with 1 in-text citation and reference (follow the Institution Writing Guidelines)

2 follow-up posts (replies) of 50+ words

Responses can be addressed to both your initial thread and other threads but must be:

Your own words (no copy and paste)

Unique (no repeating something you already said)

Substantial in nature, which means there has to be some meat to the reply not something like: "Good job, Rasha, your post is excellent." A substantial post will do one of the following:

Extend the conversation deeper,

Challenge the post being responded to, or

Take the conversation in a career-relevant tangent

Remember that part of the discussion grade is submitting on time and using proper grammar, spelling, etc. You're training to be a professional—write like it.