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Causes and Effects
Orthopaedic disorders may be congenital and there may be hereditary and environmental factors that can affect the normal functioning of the bones, joints, or muscles. Other causes of bone diseases include severe impacts/injuries and weakness in bones/bone loss.

The effects of bone disorders will vary with disease. Some effects include pain, breaking or deformity and limits to movement. Many patients who are diagnosed with bone diseases have no risk factors. However, there are risks including chronic disorders, disease, exposure to radiation and heredity factors. A direct cause of the formation of bone tumours has not been identified yet, however there are possible origins such as injuries to the bone, treatment from radiation and genetics.

Types of Disorders
By classifying and understanding the different types of bone diseases, orthopaedic pathologists are able to identify the causes and effects.

Bone Cancer/Tumours
The two most common forms of bone cancer are Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma. They are highly aggressive pediatric tumours. Ewing sarcoma form in bones or soft tissue, whereas osteosarcoma makes weakened bones at the end of longer ones.

There are multiple other bone cancers that are more rare:

Chondrosarcoma is identified mainly through the production of cartilage from the cells. Depending on the type of chondrosarcoma, it ranges from a slow growth which is able to be removed,  to a rapid growth and uncontrollable spread to other parts of the body, known as metastasis.

A Chordoma is another type of cancer that slowly grows into nearby bones and many soft tissues in the spine, ranging from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Chordomas have around a 40% metastasis rate and mainly spread to the lungs.

(rare cases) soft-tissue sarcoma causes:

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a form of soft tissue cancer, which mainly targets the arms and legs. It is undifferentiated as under a microscope, the tumour cells appear different to the body cells in which it develops, and is characterised as pleomorphic because it takes many different forms and sizes.

Fibrosarcoma occurs in the fibrous cells that join muscles to bones, most commonly in the arms, legs and pelvis

Sarcoma of Paget’s disease of the bone occurs in people that already have Paget’s disease, mainly aged above 70. It is very aggressive and difficult to control

Common orthopaedic diseases include; arthritis, back/foot/hand/knee/neck/shoulder pains, osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of the bone and soft-tissue injuries.

Non-neoplastic disorders
Bone diseases include non-neoplastic disorders, which are diseases that are not caused by abnormal growths such as cancer. These consist of genetic diseases, osteoporosis, infections of the bone, and Paget's disease of bone.

Neuromotor Impairments
Neuromotor impairments refer to the conditions that are established at or before birth in the affected person, regarding damage or unnatural behaviors of the brain and spinal chord, or more generally, the nervous system. The transmission of specific signals through neurons by the brain to all parts of the body is hindered by neuromotor impairments, generally causing a range of problems regarding motion and movement of all parts of the body. Common effects are loss of limb functionality, urinary control, and the spinal alignment. The most familiar impairments are Cerebral palsy and Spina bifida.

Degenerative Diseases
Degenerative diseases are classified due to their nature of destroying motor neurons, responsible for the movement of all muscle groups within the body. Common examples of degenerative diseases are Parkinson's disease and Muscular Dystrophy.

Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders (or MSDs) are disorders that directly alter the movement and capabilities of the musculoskeletal system or movement of the body. This includes parts such as the muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons, nerves, etc. These disorders or diseases include Carpal tunnel syndrome, Tendonitis, tedndon/muscle/ligament strains and sprains, Spinal disc herniation, and more.

Identification Techniques
The results from identification techniques help orthopaedic pathologists diagnose the disease.

Commonly used techniques include; arthrography, blood tests and bone scans, Computed Tomography (CT scans) and intrathecal contrast enhanced CT scans, doppler ultrasounds, Flexibility/range of motion tests, radiographs (x-rays) and x-ray absorptiometry, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), muscle tests, physical examinations by observation and Lab studies.

During a biopsy, depending on the type and location of the tumour, an orthopaedic pathologist will examine the tissue sample removed from the patient and interpret the cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease

Image guided biopsies include radiographs (x-rays) and computed tomographies (CT scans). These diagnostic techniques are very common imaging techniques which can detect many injuries and fractures to the bone as well as tumours. There is no definite evidence which states that small amounts of radiation from these techniques can cause cancer.

These imaging techniques can be used for the diagnosis of bone cancers and tumours, in order to identify the size and location of the tumour. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the presence of a bone tumour. A sample of tissue is taken from the tumorous area using a biopsy needle. It can then be examined under a microscope and analysed by an orthopaedic pathologist. The age of the patient and the location of the tumour are very important considerations in the diagnosis of bone tumours.

Orthopaedic Pathology: Pets
The field of orthopaedic pathology stretches to household pets, mainly in cats and dogs, due to their susceptibility to orthopaedic impairments.

Some common orthopaedic conditions in pets are; Joint problems, Fractured (broken) bones, Older musculoskeletal injuries, Ruptured ligament, Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Dislocation of the Patella and Arthritis.

Arthritis
Arthritis in pets occurs when a joint is inflamed due to the deterioration of lubricants and soft tissue surrounding major joints such as the hips, knees, shoulder and elbows.

Common forms of arthritis
Osteoarthritis / Degenerative Joint Disease: This is the most common type of arthritis and is a continuous decay of cartilage, caused by friction within the joints through movement.

Septic Arthritis / Inflammatory Joint Disease: Septic arthritis is brought upon by infection or an inherited compromised immune system and is seen in the build up of fluid within the joints and an inflammation of cartilage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis / Polyarthritis: Polyarthritis is the result of the body's immune system attacking a joint, causing damage to cartilage and tissue.

Diagnosis of arthritis
A physical test is conducted for signs of the following: Crepitus (grinding/cracking/grating/crunching etc. of joints), rough/deformed bones, Discomfort associated to swelling or tenderness, Atrophy (Decrease in muscle size).

If required, the following tests may be used;

Radiograph (x-ray) with the animal under anesthesia and if necessary, a contrast dye may be used in the joints before undergoing the test.

Force plate analysis, where a pressure plate on the floor reads the distribution of weight by the dog/cat to detect a favouring of one limb over the others.

Joint fluid aspiration, which is the physical removal of fluid around joints to confirm either degenerative or inflammatory arthritis