Essay

Agnes is an elderly woman with osteoporosis. She recently sustained a severe bone fracture for no apparent reason (shed did not fall or otherwise injure herself). The fracture was not treated for some time, and as a result, Agnes developed osteomyelitis.

a. Based on what you know of osteoporosis, how do you explain her mysterious fracture?

b. How can a fracture progress to osteomyelitis?

The three disorders mentioned in this case study are just three of many different skeletal diseases/disorders that can occur in bone.  There are 5 main types of disorders that can occur in bone. 

a. Which categories do osteoporosis and osteomyelitis belong to? 

b. Briefly describe a disorder from one of the two categories of skeletal diseases/disorders not mentioned in the case study. 

c. When discussing the disorder make sure to include causes and treatments. 

d. Also feel free to share any stories you may have of broken bones.  My story is that I have never had a broken bone!