OVERVIEW

What is the motor system in motor system diseases? Which organs does it include?

The motor system primarily consists of bones, joints, and skeletal muscles. These structures in the human body work together under the neural control of the brain and spinal cord to perform daily activities such as movement, grasping, eating, eye movement, and speaking.

How can motor system diseases be classified?

Motor system diseases can be divided into two main categories:

• The first category includes diseases caused by problems within the motor system itself, such as fractures, muscle strains, and joint sprains. These conditions are primarily treated by orthopedics.

• The second category involves diseases caused by issues in the nerves that control the motor system, such as Parkinson's disease and chorea. These conditions fall under the treatment of neurology.

SYMPTOMS

What are the characteristics of motor system diseases?

• Motor system diseases related to orthopedics generally present with clinical symptoms such as pain, numbness, limb movement disorders, deformities, bruising, and swelling at the site of injury, with relatively localized affected areas.

• Motor system diseases in neurology typically manifest as muscle weakness, limb tremors, or sustained muscle tension, often affecting larger areas—such as entire nerve-dominant regions—and usually lack obvious localized signs like pain or swelling.

CAUSES

What are the common diseases in orthopedics?

Common orthopedic diseases include the following categories:

• Trauma-related: fractures, bone cracks, muscle strains, joint sprains, etc.;
• Joint-related: arthritis, femoral head necrosis, etc.;
• Spine-related: lumbar disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, scoliosis, etc.;
• Sports medicine: meniscus injuries, cruciate ligament injuries, rotator cuff tears, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), etc.;
• Hand and foot-related: carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis (mouse hand), finger replantation, etc.;
• Bone tumors.

Some conditions may require comprehensive diagnosis and treatment with neurology, rehabilitation, and other departments.

What are the common causes of musculoskeletal diseases?

The main causes of musculoskeletal diseases related to orthopedics include:

• Trauma: the most common cause of orthopedic diseases.

• Tumors: including primary bone tumors and metastatic bone tumors from other organs.

• Infections: infections of soft tissues or bones can lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction.

• Congenital developmental abnormalities: such as insufficient bone strength.

• Medications: glucocorticoids can cause osteoporosis, and anti-osteoporosis drugs may lead to atypical femoral fractures.

For musculoskeletal diseases related to neurology, most specific causes remain unclear and may be associated with neurodegeneration.

DIAGNOSIS

What tests are usually required for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases?

1. Imaging tests: Such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, etc. Common tests include:

• X-ray examinations: Cervical spine X-ray, thoracic spine X-ray, pelvic X-ray, bone X-ray, etc.

• CT scans: Bone and joint CT, chest CT, spinal CT, limb CT (hands, feet), intervertebral disc CT, etc.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Spinal MRI with contrast, cervical MRI, knee MRI plain scan, etc.

2. Electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), etc.: Can reflect the functional status of muscles and nerves.

TREATMENT

What are the treatment methods for musculoskeletal system diseases?

The treatment of orthopedic-related diseases mainly includes conservative treatment (such as splints, braces, plaster fixation, etc.) and surgical treatment (such as open reduction and internal fixation, soft tissue reconstruction, repair, tumor resection, etc.).
Neurological-related diseases are mostly treated with medication, such as levodopa for Parkinson's disease.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

For musculoskeletal diseases, dietary attention is needed. Which foods are rich in calcium?

• Dairy products: such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.

• Legumes and legume products: such as soybeans, tofu, and soy milk.

• Dark green leafy vegetables: such as bok choy.

For musculoskeletal diseases, dietary attention is needed. Which foods are rich in vitamin D?

• Fatty fish: such as cod liver oil, salmon, trout, and eel.

• Mushrooms: such as shiitake mushrooms.

• Dairy products: such as milk and yogurt.

• Legume products: such as tofu and soy milk.

• Animal liver.

• Eggs: mainly the yolk.

PREVENTION

See details for each disease.