Electrolytes in Musculoskeletal Function - Essay Example

Musculoskeletal Functions The Role of Electrolytes in Musculoskeletal Function Calcium is vital in the proper functioning of the musculoskeletal system. It is especially essential for relaxation and contraction of muscles. Calcium is a trigger for the contraction of muscle. It aids in action potential formation, initiated at the motor end plate (Denegar et al, 2009). This action potential is then released into the cellular cytosol by the sarcoplasmic reticulum via the cisternae of muscular cells. There is binding to troponin of the calcium ions, which leads to a change in the tropomyosin-tropnin complex, thus leading to exposure of binding sites of myosin, which causes the contraction of muscles due to actin filament attachment by the myosin. Another vital electrolyte in musculoskeletal function is Potassium. Its role is concerned with the neutralization of metabolic acids that deplete bone. Potassium salts taken into the body via fruits and vegetables yield Potassium bicarbonate via metabolism. Were these not to be taken in adequate amounts, they would lead to mineral compounds that alkalize bone being recruited from the bone, thus resulting in bone resorption, a possible cause for the patients need for a hip replacement. The resorption of bone to provide alkalization fluids leads to bone weakening (Denegar et al, 2004). 2. Structure and Function of Musculoskeletal System Cells a) Osteocytes: These are star shaped cells of the bone that are surrounded by the bone matrix. They are mature forms of other bone cells called osteoblasts. They possess long branches from their main body that extend and connect to other adjacent osteocytes. They perform a crucial role in the maintenance of body fluids of Calcium ion levels. They carry this function out by regulating the resorption and formation of bone, thus controlling the amount of calcium in the body, since Calcium ions are essential components in the formation of bone. The bone is the human body’s major Calcium reservoir. Thus, these cells end up controlling Calcium levels. The patient could have a problem with osteoclast regeneration, thus leading to continued bone depletion (Dvořák, 2009). b) Osteoblast Cells: These are primarily bone cells that form bone. They only possess one nucleus and are formed from other cells known as osteoprogenitor cells. They function via the production of osteoid, better known as the bone matrix. After secretion, the matrix is then, together with Phosphate and Calcium, mineralized to form bone (Dvořák, 2009). When these cells mature and stop producing bone, they become flat and line the bone surface. Here, they regulate the entry and departure of Calcium and other minerals. They also regulate Oseoclasts by secreting regulatory proteins. These cells are essential in the initiation, and regulation, of bone formation. Therefore, a problem in their functions may lead to weakened bone, just like in the case study patient (Enneking, 2009). c) Osteoclast Cells: These cells are found located in the endosteum. The endosteum is a membrane that is found in the bone marrow, in the bone’s inner cavity. These cells are formed from the fusion of white blood cells formed in the bone marrow, and not from cells of osteoprogenitor type. They are quite large and have more than one nucleus. Their task is the dissolution of bone tissue a process also known as resorption. Proteins secreted by osteoblasts regulate their function. Un-regulated osteoclast function may lead to rapid depletion of bone, which could be a cause for the patient requiring a hip replacement (Jacobson, 2010). 3. Muscles 3.1 Deltoid Muscle 3.2 Deltoid muscle is found in the shoulder. It forms the shoulder’s rounded contour. 3.3 The deltoid muscle is the most important, as well as the largest, muscle in the body (Giacomo et al 2008). Its structure is quite complex. The muscle consists of three important parts: anterior deltoid originates from the superior and anterior surfaces of the exterior third of the anterior acromion and the clavicle. Middle deltoid takes its origin from the acromion’s lateral margin, with the deltoid at the posterior end taking its origin from the entirety of the scapular spine (Giacomo et al 2008). This muscle spreads over the humerus’ proximal portion, converging at the humeral shaft’s lateral surface as a thick insertion of tendons. The deltoid’s muscle most important function is elevation in a forward direction, which occurs along the scapular plane (Giacomo et al 2008). When its fibers all contract at the same time, the muscle enables the muscle to move on a frontal plane. Thus, during adduction, this muscle is an antagonist for latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major muscles. Exterior fibers are used to rotate shoulder externally. While this muscle is weak, it works with pectoralis major for shoulder flexion. This is on top of working with the pecs, subscapularis and lats for the medial rotation of the humerus. Posterior fibers are involved extension of the shoulder transversely, working with the latissimus dorsi (Giacomo et al 2008). Together with the triceps’ long head, it also acts as the primary hyper extensor of the shoulder. Lateral fibers, on the other hand, are involved in the internal rotation of the shoulder during basic abduction of the shoulder (Giacomo et al 2008). They also perform transverse abduction of the shoulder when external rotation takes place. However, their utilization is not significant during internal rotation of the shoulder. This utilizes posterior fibers (Giacomo et al 2008). 3.4 This muscle ensures healthy function of Nurse Shannon’s body by allowing for varied movement of her arms since she utilizes them a lot. The muscles can also withstand stress and compressions thus are essential for her daily functions. The muscles are a vital stabilizer of the shoulder, especially in prevention of the humoral heads dislocation when lifting a heavy load. In this case, this would be patient during cleaning and physiotherapy. 4. Structure and Action of Joints Nurse Shannon, while moving patients would use two major types of joints. a) Hinge joints: they are also referred to as ginglymus. Their surfaces are articular and are fitted onto the other; in a way, that movement is only possible in one direction. The distal bone’s direction during motion is rarely in a similar direction, or plane, as the distal bone. During flexion, there happens to be a specific degree of deviation (Enneking, 2009). Collateral ligaments, strong and durable, connect the bone’s articular surfaces. A perfect example of a hinge joint that Nurse Shannon uses in her daily routines is the joint between her humerus and ulna, which is useful when moving patients during examination and physiotherapy (Watkins, 2010). b) Ball and Socket Joints It is also referred to as spheroidal joint. In these joints, distal bones are capable of moving in a number of axes that are indefinite, consisting of one center, which is a common phenomenon to all of them. This allows the bone to orientate in numerous planes. In this joint type, the depression of one-bone fits the surface, which is ball shaped, of another bone, into the depression (Watkins, 2010). Nurse Shannon would most certainly utilize this joint type during her service to patients. The joints that she would be using that are ball and socket in nature are the shoulder blade and the shoulder. These assist her in moving her patients (Enneking, 2009). 5. How to Maintain Healthy Bones in Support of Other Body System Functions Bones are alive, and this means that they are in a constant cycle of resorption and rebuilding. Younger persons are highly efficient at this process, with the peak period for this process being between 30 and 35. However, as one grows older, the body carries out more resorption than it does formation. It is, therefore, necessary to help in rebuilding of the bones since resorption causes an increase in blood Calcium levels. This could cause problems in cell signaling (Whiting, 2008). It is vital to exercise since stress on the bones acts as a stimulant for osteoblasts that are essential in the formation of bones. Older people who exercise regularly have been fond of having significant bone gains. Apart from exercise, nutrients are also highly essential in the building of healthy bones in older people. Mineral nutrients such as Calcium, in older people, are required in levels that range between 1200 and 1500 mg/day. The intake should also be spread over the whole day since ones body can only take 500 mg of Calcium at any given time (Whiting, 2008). Other nutrients include Magnesium, Zinc, Silica, Folic acid, Boron, and critical vitamins like B6, B12, K, D, and C. References Allan P, Sylvia F. (2011). Musculoskeletal conditions in the United States. Park Ridge: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Denegar C. R, Saliba E, Saliba S. F. (2009). Therapeutic Modalities for Musculoskeletal Injuries. Champaign: Human Kinetics. Dvořák J. (2009). Musculoskeletal manual medicine: diagnosis and treatment. New York: Thieme. Enneking W. F. (2009). A system of staging musculoskeletal neoplasms. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 9-24. Giacomo, G. D., & al, e. (2008). Atlas of functional shoulder anatomy. New York: Springer. Jacobson J. A. (2010). Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. lONDON: Elsevier Health Sciences. Watkins, J. (2010). Structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. Champaign: Human Kinetics,. Whiting, W. C, Zernicke R. F. (2008). Biomechanics of musculoskeletal injury. Champaign: Human Kinetics. Read More