Injury, degenerative wear and tear, and inflammatory disorders affect joints. Sprains are common injuries that cause ligaments to rip of separate from the bone. Tendinitis (such as tennis elbow) and bursitis are inflammations of the tendon sheaths.

    Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition associated with the wearing away of the protective caps of cartilage covering the bone-ends. Bony growths or spurs develop as the cartilage degenerates, causing restriction of movement and pain. The cause is not known and may just be wear-and-tear associated with aging.

    Human heart Rheumatoid arthritis is a severely damaging arthritis that begins with inflammation and thickening of the synovial membrane followed by bone degeneration and disfigurement. More women than men are affected. There may be a genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis. Joint replacement may in some cases restore function.

    The human skeleton is divided into two distinct parts:

    The axial skeleton consists of bones that form the axis of the body and support and protect the organs of the head, neck, and trunk.

• The Skull
• The Sternum
• The Ribs
• The Vertebral Column

• The Upper Extremities
• The Lower Extremities
• The Shoulder Girdle
• The Pelvic Girdle--(the sacrum and coccyx are considered part of the vertebral column)