- ANALGESIC MEDICATIONSsuch as acetaminophen
and NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
(NSAIDS) to relieve pain - ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATIONSto treat depression
and to relieve pain - MUSCLE RELAXANT MEDICATIONS
- CHIROPRACTIC, OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TREAT-
MENT(OMT), andMASSAGE THERAPYto relax mus-
cles and improve range of motion and
FLEXIBILITYof joints - ACUPUNCTUREfor pain relief and stress reduction
- YOGAand TAI CHIto improve flexibility, STRENGTH,
and balance and to relieve stress - MEDITATIONfor stress relief
Doctors seldom prescribe narcotic pain reliev-
ers, sleep medications, CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS
(such as prednisone), or benzodiazepine muscle
relaxants (such as diazepam), because these treat-
ments interfere with normal activities and are not
proven to improve symptoms long term. As well,
the side effects and potential dependency issues
with these medications are greater than the short-
term benefits for most people. Doctors also recom-
mend daily physical exercise because it increases
the release of endorphins and enkephalins, the
body’s natural pain relievers. It also stretches and
strengthens the muscles and connective tissues,
and promotes a sense of accomplishment and
well-being.
Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
About 80 percent of people who have fibromyal-
gia are women, though researchers do not know
why this gender correlation exists. People who
have autoimmune forms of arthritis, such as
rheumatoid arthritis or ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS, also
have increased risk for fibromyalgia. Because
researchers do not know what causes fibromyal-
gia, there are no recommended preventive meas-
ures.
See also ACUTE PAIN; ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR
PAIN RELIEF; CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME; CHRONIC PAIN;
STRESS AND STRESS MANAGEMENT.
fracture A break in a BONE. The most common
cause of bone fracture is traumatic injury. Sponta-
neous fracture may occur in people who have
health conditions such as OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA,
severe OSTEOPOROSIS, or BONE CANCER. Fractures
may take various forms, including- avulsion, in which a small chip of bone breaks
away - closed (simple), in which the bone ends remain
relatively in alignment and do not penetrate
through the SKIN - comminuted, in which the bone fragments into
multiple pieces - compression, in which the bones collapse onto
one another (such as vertebrae in the back) - greenstick, which typically occur in young chil-
dren whose bones are still supple and appear as
a bend or curve rather than an outright break
in the bone - open (compound), in which the bone ends are
significantly separated and protrude through
the skin, causing an open wound - spiral, which occur when sudden force twists
the bone and the break runs in line with the
bone’s axis - stress, in which hairlike cracks develop in bones
subject to repetitive stress (such as the tibia, the
long bone in the lower leg, with running)
Bone fractures require prompt care from a doc-
tor. Nearly always it is necessary to immobilize the
bone ends so they remain aligned and can heal
back together.Do NOT move a person who may have a
fractured neck or back. Summon emer-
gency medical aid and keep the person
still, calm, and as comfortable as possi-
ble.Symptoms and Diagnostic Path
Severe PAINand rapid swelling after trauma are
the most common symptoms of bone fracture.
Most often, the person cannot bear weight or put
pressure on the involved area. The limb or digit
may appear distorted or a bone end may protrude
through the skin. X-RAYnearly always confirms
the diagnosis, though more sophisticated imaging
procedures such asMAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(MRI) and bone scan are occasionally necessary322 The Musculoskeletal System