Bones, muscles and joints

Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone in adults, which causes the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, feet and internal organs.

A person with amyloidosis produces aggregates of insoluble protein that cannot be eliminated from the body.

Bone cancer can develop as either a primary cancer, meaning that the cancer started in the bones, or a secondary cancer, meaning that the cancer started somewhere else and spread to the bones.

Common sites for bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip.

Fibrous dysplasia causes abnormal growth or swelling of bone, but it is not a form of cancer.

Most children and many adults with acute leukaemia can expect to be cured, while chronic leukaemia can be successfully managed.

The severity of symptoms or how a child with McCune-Albright syndrome will be affected throughout life is difficult to predict.

Multiple myeloma is cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Osteomyelitis means an infection of bone which can either be recent or longstanding.

Paget's disease of bone is a chronic condition that causes abnormal enlargement and weakening of bone.

Rib injuries may include bruises, torn cartilage and bone fractures.

Rickets is a preventable childhood bone disease caused by a lack of vitamin D.

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curve of the spine.

'Shin splints' refers to pain felt anywhere along the shinbone from knee to ankle.

Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects growth and development of the head, causing facial defects and hearing loss.

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in the hollow centres of a person?s long bones and is the blood cell 'factory'.

The adult skeleton is made up of 206 bones, which provide the structure for our bodies

The right footwear can help keep your feet healthy, make your physical activity easier and help keep your body safe from injury

Some athletes and bodybuilders wrongly believe that taking synthetic growth hormone will help build up their muscles.

A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement.

The skeleton and skeletal muscles work together to allow movement.

There are about 600 muscles in the human body

People who run regularly seem to be susceptible to Achilles tendonitis

A child learning to walk receives important sensory information from the soles of their feet, and shoes can make walking more difficult.

The right footwear can help keep your feet healthy, make your physical activity easier and help keep your body safe from injury

A ganglion cyst is the most common lump on the hand, and tends to target women between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age.

Good foot care and regular check-ups can help people with diabetes avoid foot problems.

Dupuytren's contracture gradually causes clawing of the fingers as they are pulled towards the palm.

Correctly fitted shoes help you avoid foot and leg pain or injury.

People who have chronic foot or leg problems that interfere with their health may be prescribed orthoses by their podiatrist.

The heel protects the structures of the foot, but heel pain is a common foot complaint.

Wearing shoes that fit properly and support your feet is vital to avoid sore feet and to prevent or alleviate many common foot problems.

Raynaud's phenomenon can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so see your doctor if you experience it.

Sever's disease is a common cause of heel pain, particularly in the young and physically active.

Exercise can prevent age-related changes to muscles, bones and joints and can reverse these changes too.

Most procedures that measure bone density are quick and pain-free.

If you don’t have enough calcium in your diet, your bones will eventually become weak and brittle.

The right footwear can help keep your feet healthy, make your physical activity easier and help keep your body safe from injury

Bad habits such as slouching and inactivity cause muscle fatigue and tension that ultimately lead to poor posture.

A balanced approach to sunlight exposure will help you get enough vitamin D while protecting against skin cancer.

Ankle sprain is a common sports injuries caused by overstretching and tearing the supporting ligaments.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that targets the joints of the spine.

People can manage their arthritis using medication, physiotherapy, exercise and self management techniques.

Baker's cysts of the knee don't always require active treatment and sometimes will only require observation by the treating doctor.

Bursitis is often caused by overuse and the inflammation will continue unless the particular activity or movement is stopped.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by repetitive hand movements, pregnancy and arthritis.

Around 95 per cent of babies born with developmental dysplasia of the hip can be successfully treated.

Elbow pain and can result from overuse in a range of sports or occupations.

The hip joint is complicated to allow a wide range of motion while still supporting the weight of the body.

Mild knee injuries may heal by themselves, but all injuries should be checked and diagnosed by a doctor or physiotherapist.

Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is a painful knee condition that affects adolescents.

Most children with Perthes' disease eventually recover, but it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years.

Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis that occurs as a result of some bacterial infections.

The majority of people with Bell's palsy, around 90 per cent, will recover completely with time.

If you have a child with a disability you can help improve their communication and movement by encouraging them to take part in daily activities.

Multiple sclerosis is not contagious, but it is progressive and unpredictable.

A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle.

People affected by muscular dystrophy have different degrees of independence, mobility and carer needs.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness.

Polymyositis is hard to diagnose and may be mistaken for muscular dystrophy.

A child with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 rarely lives beyond three years of age.

It is important to get the correct treatment for a sprain or strain as soon as possible after the injury to help you recover quickly.

Regular weight-bearing exercise and maintaining a diet rich in calcium from childhood will help reduce bone loss at menopause.

A healthy, calcium-rich diet and regular physical activity throughout life can help prevent osteoporosis.

Exercise can reduce the risk of fractures resulting from osteoporosis by both slowing the rate of bone loss, and reducing the person?s risk of falling by building muscle strength and improving balance.

Osteoporosis in children is rare and usually caused by an underlying medical condition.

Up to 25 per cent of all fractures that occur in people with osteoporosis and osteopenia, occur in men.