Osteoarthritis (Gold)

Question 1

What is OA?

Answer 1

Degenerative chronic disorder from the breakdown of articular cartilage.

Question 2

What structures are involved/damaged in OA?

Answer 2

Articular cartilage

Question 3

What is the primary cause?

Answer 3

Result of excessive loading of a healthy joint or normal loading of an abnormal joint

Question 4

What is Primary OA?

Answer 4

Related to the aging process, seen in older bitches

Question 5

What is Secondary OA?

Answer 5

Degenerative disease of the synovial joints, usually from some predisposing condition (trauma)

Question 6

Age prevalence in Secondary OA?

Answer 6

Younger individuals

Question 7

Joints affected?

Answer 7

• Joints of the hands: DIP and PIP
• Knees
• Hips
• Spine

Question 8

Clinical presentation

Answer 8

• Decreased ROM, with crepitus
• Deep aching joint pain
• Heberden’s Nodes (DIP joint), Bouchard’s Nodes (PIP)
• Morning Stiffness < 30 minutes

Question 9

Usual duration of moring stiffness

Answer 9

< 30 minutes

Question 10

Ways to confirm diagnosis?

Answer 10

• Clinical examination
• x-ray findings
• Laboratory tests will not confirm diagnosis

Question 11

Who are more affected men or women? Specific age?

Answer 11

Women who are > 55

Question 12

Characteristics of disease progression?

Answer 12

Usually slow, taking several years or decades

Question 13

What affected joint is the leading cause of disability in the elderly?

Answer 13

OA of the Knee