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As people age, their musculoskeletal system changes, including: Muscles: lose size and strength, muscle fibers reduce in number and shrink in size, and muscle tissue is replaced more slowly. Changes in the nervous system also cause muscles to have reduced tone and ability to contract. This progressive decline of muscle mass and function is known as sarcopenia. Bones: become less dense, lose calcium and other minerals, and the structure of bone changes, resulting in loss of bone tissue.
Some musculoskeletal conditions include: Osteoporosis: Weakening of bones that occurs when the body loses bone tissue that is not replaced Arthritis: Can be debilitating and can cause pain, swelling, and movement problems Chronic low back pain: The leading cause of years lived with disability in the United States
Other conditions that can affect the musculoskeletal system include: Joints: Rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis
Related Test: Pathophysiology Practice Test: Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System
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