Bursitis
Bursitis is painful condition that results from inflammation of one or more of the small, fluid-filled sacs known as bursas.  Generally located close to joints, bursas act as cushions to minimize friction when tendons and muscles pass over bones. If a bursa becomes irritated by excessive pressure or injury, the sac may become distended with fluid, resulting in bursitis.  The most commonly inflamed bursas are around the shoulder.  Other affected bursas include those at the elbow and knee joints, and those at the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.  An inflamed bursa located at the base of the big toe is called a bunion.  Acute bursitis, which usually begins suddenly, is characterized by great pain and extreme tenderness in the affected area, especially when the joint is in motion. Bursitis may result from a variety of causes, including infection, traumatic injury, inflammatory arthritis, and chronic overuse.  Acute attacks usually subside in a few days without treatment, but recovery time may be increased by the use of anti-inflammatory agents or by injections of hydrocortisone into the inflamed bursas.  Chronic bursitis, sometimes called student's elbow or housemaid's knee, may be caused by small deposits of calcium within the bursas.  Attacks of chronic bursitis tend to run in cycles of a few days or weeks, with periods of improvement following bouts of severe pain.  Treatment generally brings only temporary relief, but chronic bursitis can sometimes be cured by a bursectomy, the surgical removal of the bursa.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease resulting in the loss of bone tissue.  In osteoporosis, the cancellous bone loses calcium, becomes thinner, and may disappear altogether.  Osteoporosis can be treated or at least contained by taking prescription drugs or artificial hormones and also just by providing your body with enough calcium and vitamin D and exercising regularly.

Bone Fractures
A fracture is a broken bone.  Fractures are caused by sudden jolts to bones such as injuries taken when playing sports.  Weak bones, perhaps from osteoporosis, increase the risk of bone fractures.  Bone fractures are cured by relocating the fractured bone to its proper anatomical position and holding it there until the bone has had time to heal the break.  A Plaster of Paris or fiberglass cast is often used for this purpose.  The six types of fractures are: simple (closed) fractures, where the broken bone does not protrude through the skin; compound (open) fractures, where broken bone protrudes through the skin and much blood can be lost; incomplete (greenstick) fractures, where the bone is cracked but not broken; chip (multiple) fractures, where a piece of bone is broken off or chipped; nonunion (comminuted) fracture, where a fractured bone does not heal properly; and stress (spiral) fractures, where a bone is strained in some way to cause a weakness in it, which can come from repeated use of some part of the body.

Sprain
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that surround a joint caused by a sudden wrench that is often very painful.  Sprains most often occur in the ankle, knee, finger, wrist, shoulder, or spine.  The treatment of a sprain is similar to that of a bone fracture.  It is most important to immobilize the sprain to treat it.

Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida occurs when one or more vertebral segments are incompletely developed at birth.  It is caused when an error in the development of the embryo's spinal chord which causes the vertebrae around it to grow improperly.  Spina Bifidia must be treated by surgery at birth.  Prevention of spina bifida includes not drinking alcohol or using drugs not approved by a doctor during pregnancy.

Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease caused by lack of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the diet.  In the skeletal system, it causes joints to become sore and other bone defects.  A balanced diet and continued consumption of vitamin C can cure scurvy.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of 100's of diseases related to the joints in which victims suffer pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints.  Osteoarthritis is caused when joints wear out, which is why it tends to effect elderly people more than any other age group.  Osteoarthritis effects those joints used most frequently and those which bear heavy weight loads, such as the hands, hips, knees, lower back, and neck.  Treating Osteoarthritis is done through a variety of methods such as, improving general health and maintaining as normal a lifestyle as possible, losing excess weight, specific joint targeted exercises, and pain drugs consumption.  Surgery can often lessen the pain of Osteoarthritis.

Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side which occurs most frequently in childhood.  Scoliosis may be caused by alteration of the bones or muscles in the back and occurs more often in girls than boys.  Most mild cases of scoliosis remain untreated, but severe cases that will cause problems later on in life require surgery.  Early detection is a key to treating Scoliosis.

Talipes
Talipes, commonly called clubfoot, is a deformity of the foot.  Usually the foot is bent downward and inward so that the person can walk only on the toes and on the outside of the foot.  Present at birth, it is usually genetic.  Treatment includes correctly positioning the foot by a metal brace or Plaster of Paris cast soon after birth.  Surgery may be used to correct the condition if performed early enough.

Lordosis
Lordosis is the abnormal forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical part of the spine.  It is caused by obese people whose weak back muscles cannot support their heavy abdomens properly.  It can also be caused by over correcting Kyphosis or a hip deformity.  Treatment of Lordosis must be directed towards the cause (i.e. lose some weight, give birth, etc.)

Kyphosis
Kyphosis, commonly called hunchback is a forward bending of the thoracic part of the spine and is generally caused by genetics and old age as the muscles loose strength.  Curing Kyphosis involves avoiding osteoporosis, exercising, and possibly severe surgery.

Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, usually caused by abusing a tendon (i.e. excessive use).  Treatment is usually simple involving rest and corticosteroid therapy.

Osgood-Schlatter's Disease
Osgood-Schlater's Disease is characterized by painful swelling just below the knees.  It is caused by chronic irritation or overuse of the quadriceps muscle, resulting inseparation or inflammation of the tubercle.  Osgood-Schlater's Disease can be cured by immobilizing the knee in a cast, and surgically removing any bone fragments after healing.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Known in laymen's terms as "brittle bone disease," osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by abnormal fragility of the bones.  Common features of the disease are bones that break easily, deformities and short stature.  Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disease that occurs because of a spontaneous mutation in certain genes.  These defective genes are responsible for the production of collagen.  Collagen assumes a similar role as the framework around which a building is constructed.  Patients with OI have a poor quality of collagen.  The results are brittle bones that break easily and don't grow properly.  The prognosis for an individual with OI varies greatly depending on the number and severity of symptoms. Many adults and children with OI lead productive and happy lives.  Patients with the severest form may die shortly after birth.  Treatment is directed toward preventing or correcting symptoms.  Care of fractures, extensive surgical and dental procedures, and physical therapy are often recommended for people with OI.  Wheelchairs, braces and other custom-made equipment are often necessary.  There are some experimental therapies currently under study.