MUSCULAR SYSTEM

Chapter 41

Aging and the Muscular/Skeletal System

Muscles become weaker with agebody decreases in strength and endurance

Weakening muscles can cause heart function to decrease

More fatigue as you ageCartilage deteriorates with age

Stiff joints

Aging and the Muscular/Skeletal System

Stiff joints increases with ageInactivity and immobility

Bones become porous and brittle with ageEasier fractures

Spinal column changes over time“stooped” posture and loss of height

Types of Muscle

Cardiac- wall of heartVoluntary- skeletal muscles attached to boneInvoluntary/Smooth/Visceral- forms wall of organs

Key Facts

1. Muscles can only shorten (contract) and lengthen

2. Muscles have 2 points of attachment to bone(origin—proximal insertion—distal)

3. Muscles are not inserted directly into bones. Connected by tendons.

4. As muscles contract, they pull their points of origin and insertion closer together.

Key Facts

5. The more muscles are used, the more powerful they become

6. Muscles have very rich blood supply7. Muscle groups work together to perform

functions.8. The largest muscles groups are the strongest.

Muscle Groups

• Flexors• Extensors• Abductors• Adductors• Invertors• Evertors• Scapular Stabilizers• Rotaters

Immobility-Atrophy-Contractures

Process???Flexion Contractures- permanent bending of jointFoot drop- contracture in foot causing permanent damageProper alignment- when body is in alignment with the natural lines of bones and joints. In order to maintain this with our immobile, dependent residents, we use:

Contractures

• Flexion Contracture Foot Drop

Supportive Devices

1. Pillows2. Trochanter roll- rolled up towel or small

blanket placed next to the tip of the thigh bone to prevent ABDUCTION of the hip

Supportive Devices

3. Wedge- designed to keep thighs apart to maintain proper alignment

4. Splint5. Handroll6. Footboard

Nursing Interventions/Actions

Position in proper alignmentTurn q2hROM exercisesSupportive Devices Ambulate when appropriate