The Skeletal System: Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

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Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
Introduction
The skeletal system protects the internal organs and soft tissues and is the structural framework that gives the body its shape. The skeletal system is composed of four parts: bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. The skeletal system provides support, protection, allows body movements, stores minerals and fats, and is the site of blood cell production (Seeley, Stephens, & Tate, 2008). The appropriate development of the skeletal system allows an individual to walk, stand, pick up a pencil, and do everyday activities that involve movement and support. An individual without the appropriate development of the skeletal system will have difficulty performing everyday activities that require movement.
Skeletal Disorder
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and causes
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder (Kartal-Kaess et al., 2010). This means that the disorder is hereditary; an individual can only get the disorder if one of the parents has it and passes it on to the offspring. The main characteristic of this disorder is the hardening of skeletal muscles, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments (Kartal-Kaess et al., 2010). The skeletal muscles, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments start to progressively become bone. Skeletal muscles, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments are places where bone does not grow in regular individuals that do not have FOP. Other characteristics of FOP include benign tumor composed of bone and cartilage in the tibia, abnormal growth on the cervical spine, wide and small femoral necks and hearing loss (Kartal-Kaess et al., 2010).

Prevalence
Fribrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva is very rare and only happens in 1...

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... perform these activities.
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva affects most part of the skeletal system, mainly jaw, hips, ankles, wrists, keens, elbows, chest, shoulder, spine and neck. Most of these parts of the skeletal system are part of the joints that help with movement and connect bones (Seeley et al., 2008). As consequence, the individual loses the ability to move or not move at all. FOP does not affect cognitive development; an individual with this disorder has the same intelligence as any other individual. However, as I mentioned it before they cannot perform everyday activities and need assistance for almost everything. As the disorder progresses individual start to lose movement of their appendicular and axial skeleton. The new solid bone growth makes it impossible to have flexibility in the joint and limbs. Individual are trapped on their own body.

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