Musculoskeletal Disorders Disorders of the musculoskeletal system are major causes of chronic pain and physical disability. Although the components of this system thrive on use, they can become worn, injured, or inflamed. Although these injuries generally are painful and may lead to long-term complications, most of them heal completely. An inflammation can become chronic and persistent, sometimes because of continuous movement and mechanical stresses and sometimes because of immune reactions, infections, or deposits of abnormal materials. Bone and joint infections can be crippling.
Immediate treatment can prevent permanent joint damage.
Benign tumors and cancers can originate in bone, and cancers can spread to bone from other locations in the body. Metabolic or hormonal imbalances can also affect bones and joints. Another example is gout, in which crystals develop in the joints of susceptible people who have an abnormally high uric acid level in the blood. Laboratory tests may provide helpful information regarding some musculoskeletal disorders, but that information usually isn't enough for a diagnosis. X-rays are taken to evaluate areas of bone pain because often they can detect fractures, tumors, injuries, infections, and deformities.