Arthritis (all types) Flashcards
Define osteoarthritis
· Degenerative osteoarthritis of the hand/wrist can involves all of the tissues around the synovial joint, including the articular cartilage, joint capsule, ligaments, subchondral bone, metaphyseal bone, and the muscles acting across the joint
· Principle pathological change –> loss of articular cartilage.
Describe the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis
- Changes to articular cartilage
- Biochemical: cytokine release –> cellular response, cartilage damage
- Biomechanical: loss of proteoglycans, increase vascular ingrowth, increased water - cartilage becomes soft (chrondromalacia)
- Structural changes: chondrocytes respond to mechanical forces and cartilage develops fibrillations on surface, clefts, fractures, decrease thickness
- Changes to subchrondral bone
- sclerosis (increased bone density where exposed), cysts, osteophyte formation
- Changes to peri-articular structures
- inflamed synovium, swelling, stiffness
how do you classify osteoarthritis?
- Primary vs. secondary:
- Primary – idiopathic (combo of genetics, joint shape/anatomy, endocrine changes)
- Secondary – Antecendent event or underlying etiology that accelerates loss of cartilage
- Mechanical – change to joint architecture – trauma, infection
- Metabolic – gout, cppd, Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis (MCPJ, 2nd & 3rd)
- Inflammatory – rheumatoid / inflammatory arthopathy
- Endocrinopathy: DM (neuropathic joint), acromegaly, hyperparathyroidism
- Miscellaneous (AVN, genetic skeletal disorders)
- Non-Erosive (classic OA) vs. Erosive – features of inflammatory OA, often post-menopausal & hereditary; PIPJ
- By joint & disease stage (see below)
list findings on physical exam for OA hand
THUMB OA
- dorsal subluxation
- MCPJ hyperextension
- adduction contracture*
- tenderness*
- pain and/or crepitus with axial loading (and/or traction)*
- decreased a/pROM*
rest of hand see * above and:
- heberden’s nodes (DIPJ)
- Bouchard’s nodes (PIPJ)
- mucous cyst formation
- instability
- decreased grip strength
xray findings of OA
o joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, subchondral cysts, osteophytes
what are goals for treatment of OA
(in order) – control pain, improve function, correct deformity, improve appearance
outline a general treatment approach to OA
- Conservative: all patients start here; often intra-articular steroid after other modalities first (unless severe)
- NSAIDS, Tylenol, splinting, activity modification, steroid injection (triamcinalone), mechanical assists (PT/OT)
- Surgical management – Indications à intractable functional pain, deformity impacting function after non-operative trial
- Options: arthrodesis, arthroplasty (including tenoplasty, ligamentoplasty)
why is the volar beak ligament important? how does its pathology contribute to thumb CMC OA?
- volar oblique ligament is most important stabilizing structure (pinch produces a dorsal force)
- volar beak of bone on MC base ® trapezial tuberosity (controls pronation & prevents radial translation)
pathology
- volar beak ligament attrition –> ligamentous laxity –> abnormal joint position and loading –> abnormal transmission of force across joint surface –> biomechanical change and loss of articular cartilage
why does the thumb assume a hyperextension posture at MCP w/ CMC OA?
- Lateral/dorsal subluxation d/t capsular / intermetacarpal ligamentous laxity, hypertrophic medial spurs, pull of APL ® compensatory MPJ hyperextension & thumb adduction
what is the differential diagnosis for thumb cmc oa?
· Tendonitis/tenosynovitis: FCR; de Quervain’s (1st dorsal compartment); intersection syndrome (2nd compartment)
· Inflammatory arthritis: RA
· Crystal arthropathy: gout, cppd
· Ligamentous: Chronic UCL injury (Gamekeeper’s thumb)
· Neuropathy: Radial sensory neuritis (Wartenberg); CTS
· Arthritis at other joint: SLAC wrist; isolated STT arthritis; radiocarpal, MCP
· Scaphoid trauma
in addition to usual views on XR, what additional imaging would you want for thumb cmc oa?
- X-rays: Stress view – PA at 30° (shows MC base lateral subluxation); Roberts view – AP of hyperpronated hand (all 4 trapezial articulations)
describe eaton classification for thumb cmc oa
Stage I
- Normal X-ray, joint space may be wide
Stage II
- Joint space narrow, minimal subchondral sclerosis, debris<2mm, STTJ normal
Stage III
- ++narrow, cystic changes/sclerosis/debris>2mm, variable subluxation. STTJ normal
Stage IV
- Pantrapezial arthritis, large osteophytes, ++ subchondral sclerosis, STTJ arthritis
list surgical options for thumb cmc oa?
Stage 1
- Palmar/volar oblique ligament reconstruction
- MC osteotomy
Stages 2-4
- Trapeziectomy ± hematoma/distraction arthroplasty
- Trapeziectomy w/ interposition graft
- Trapeziectomy, LR(±TI)
- Arthrodesis
- Arthroplasty
describe MC osteotomy for thumb CMC OA
- Designed to restore abduction and extension
- 4 cm longitudinal incision over radial border of 1st metacarpal
- Resect radially based 20-30o wedge within 2 cm of joint
- Distal MC extended and compressed through wedge excision; fixation K wires, intraosseus loops, plate
- Advantages: pain relief, improved function (increased grip & pinch @ 2 yrs)
- Nonunion up to 50%
describe trapeziectomy and LRTI
- Trapeziectomy & LRTI
- Incise: rad bord 1st MC, dissect between APL/EPB or EPL / EPB
- Trapezial resection (in quadrants) - FCR tendon is at base
- drill hole through base of MC in line with nail plate, and out through base of MC
- FCR harvest (1/2 or all) through 2 transverse volar forearm incisions, pull into joint
- Pass FCR through base of MC, sutured onto itself (as tight as possible), interpose into joint, (± Kwire)
- Alternative = APL à one slip harvested, passed through base 1st MC (or around FCR), through 2nd MC (radial/volar à dorsal ulnar), free end woven through ECRB and secured to itself (± Kwire)
- Capsular & wound closures
- Postop: cast for 4 weeks, splint for 4 weeks, normal function at 12 weeks
- Advantage: most common, durable/reliable outcome, pain relief, increased grip/pinch
- Disadvantage: loss of trapezial space height; no advantage over trapeziectomy alone (PRS 2011 Thoma, Sys. Rev)
describe considerations for management of MCPJ hyperextension during thumb cmc oa operations
- Degree of hyperextension
- <20 - no Rx
- 20-30 deg - EPB tenotomy à transfer to base of MC to augment APL; K-wire x 4/52
- >30° – fusion vs. volar capsulodesis MPJ + EPB tenotomy vs. sesamoid arthrodesis vs. palmaris longus volar plate reconstruction (No evidence of approach superior to another, no long term comparative prospective studies)
- Non-operative management – figure of 8 splint
describe use of arthroplasty for pipj oa
- Arthroplasty – less active patients with stiff, painful joints, flex/ext arc 60-80⁰ –> ½ pre-op ROM expected
- Volar plate arthroplasty (limited use)
- Silastic arthroplasty: joint spacer (RA pt), pain relief, less stable, limited ROM
- dorsal, volar or lateral approach; must preserve central slip insertion
- oblique osteotomies, remove minimal bone
- Surface replacement arthroplasty
- constrained prosthesis, chromium-cobalt alloy, pyrocarbons
- PP head and articular base of MP (looks like a mini total knee)
- Greater stability, likely higher complications, higher cost, ? long-term durability
- Immobilize x 2/52, then limited ROM x 2/52 more (can be more aggressive with constrained implants
- Advantages: preserve ROM (avg ROM post-op: 40’-60’ TAM)
- Disadvantages: not full ROM/ ROM may deteriorate; compliance w/ therapy, implant failure, instability, deformity
describe use of arthrodesis for pipj oa
- Arthrodesis – young, high demand patient, significant loss of bone, symptom relief, stability (preference for D2/3
- Dorsal approach, splint extensor tendon and joint capsule; cup & cone vs osteotomies/rongeur
- Plating is best. Alternatives – K-wire, screw, Fig of 8 tension band
- Best for index +/- small (pinch, stability)
- Advantage stable and reliable
- Distadvantage: PIPJ contributes 85% to finger ROM and ~ 25% to hand flexion, loss of grip, NU/DU/MU
what is your differential for mono- arthritis of joints in hand?
MONOARTHRITIS
- Crystal induced
- Infection (acute, chronic)
- Trauma, hemarthrosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Foreign body
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis
- Joint neoplasms
- Aseptic necrosis
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Mechanical internal derangement
- Sarcoidosis
- Neuropathic (Charcot) joint
- Onset of polyarthritis
describe XR finding in psoriatic arthritis
- Imaging – osteolysis, pencil in cup (typically DIP), arthritis mutilans (osteolysis hand with collapse), ankyloses
- Distal to joint = bone proliferation; proximal side joint = bone wasting
what is presentation for psoriatic arthritis?
- Presentation – psoriasis, joint pain/stiffness >30 mins in AM, relieved with activity
- Classic PE – psoriatic plaque, distal & asymmetric, nail lesions (pitting, onycholysis); PIPJ 95% (flexion deformity, no boutonniere), polyarthritis 25%, DIP 5%
- Associated features: enthesitis, dactylitis (fusiform), pitting edema, uveitis
what is your treatment approach to psoriatic arthritis?
- Medical – NSAIDS, steroids (systemic), DMARDs (MTX, penicillamine)
- Surgical (rare) – synovectomy/tenosynovectomy, tendon release/repair/transfer (DIP usually autofuses; PIP fusion, MCP arthroplasty, fusion/bone graft arthritis mutilans to maintain length
what is the classic presentation and diagnostic criteria for lupus arthritis
- Presentation – F>>M, onset 15-25yo, black>white, morning stiffness, pain, +/- Raynaud’s
- Classic PE – Erythematous maculopapular eruption fingers & palm, symmetric joint swelling & pain, tenosynovitis
- Joint deformities – see below (ligamentous and volar plate laxity, tendon subluxation
- 11 criteria: Serositis, oral ulcers, arthritis, photosensitivity, blood (pancytopenia), renal disorder (proteinuria), ANA+, immunologic (anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith, APLA), neurologic (seizures, psychosis), malar rash, discoid rash
discuss treatment approach to lupus arthritis
Treatment
o Medical – Rheum/Medicine, NSAIDS, steroids, hand therapy & splints (to delay surgery)
o Surgical – soft tissue procedures (extensor tendon relocation & tenodesis) – do not provide long-term results; selective arthrodesis is often the best choice
Wrist
MCP
PIP
DIP
Thumb
Deformity
Caput unlna
- SL dissoc.
- Radial dev
- Ulnar trans carpus
- Dorsal sublux ulna
- Ulnar deviation PP
- Volar subluxation PP
- Ulnar subluxation EDC
- Hyperextension
- Flexion
- Lateral deformity
- Hyperextension
- Flexion
- Lateral deformity
- MP hyperextension
- Lateral subluxation at distal joint
- Subluxation of extensor tendons
Mgmt.
- Limited & total wrist fusion
- (Darrach w/ ECU stabilization)
- Swanson arthroplasty
- Extensor tendon relocation
- Early – soft tissue re-alignment
- Late – arthrodesis
- Early – soft tissue re-alignment
- Late – arthrodesis
- EPL rerouting
- Arthrodesis in 15-20° flexion
describe classic presentation of gout
- Presentation – M>>F, ↑ with age
- Classic PE – MTP great toe most common (acute monoarticular inflammatory condition), exquisitely tender, tophi
- DDx – sept arth, suppur tenosynovitis, RA, cancer
- Labs – CBC, serum urate, Xray, urine (crytals), Joint aspirate –> gout = negatively birefringent crystals (polarized light)
- Imaging – early – no change; late = punched out erosions or lytic areas with overhanging edges
describe classic presentation of scleroderma
- Presentation – F>M, CREST –> Calcinosis, Raynaud’s, Esophageal dysfunction, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia
- Classic PE – progressive PIPJ contracture, hyperextension MCPJ, 1st web contracture, extensor tendon rupture, soft tissue breakdown/ulcers/gangrene with exposed tendon/bone/joint
describe approach to treatment of scleroderma arthritis and hand problems
Treatment
o Medical – Rheum, D-penicillamine, MTX, interferon
o Surgical – Avoid GA and tourniquet
§ Wound management to minimize infection
§ Optimize: vascularity, function, cosmesis, improve pain
DIP
PIP
MCP
1st Web
Deformity
Gangrene, tuft resorption
Fixed flexion deformity
Hyperextension
Contracture
Mgmt.
- Fusion
- Amputation if gangrenous, infected, osteomyelitis
- Fusion: angle depends on MCPJ ROM
- Resection of joint to overcome contractures
- ± Arthroplasty
- Release of thumb adductor, FTSG
- Standard web release techniques
what is hypothenar hammar syndrome and classic presentation?
- Thrombembolic occlusion or aneurysm UA à digital ischemia
- Repetitive blunt palmar or hypothenar trauma
- PE – Pain, cold sensitivity, sensory disturbances, hypothenar mass, dig ischemia, ulceration, abnormal Allen’s test
what is your approach to treatment of hypothenar hammar syndrome?
- Conservative/Medical – vasodilation for acute ischemia (warm room, compresses, lidocaine plain injections, CCB, nitroglycerin paste; ↓ sympathetic tone (pain control, rest)
- activity modification, cold protection, CCBs, quit smoking
- Operative/interventional: thrombolysis, excision & ligation, excision & vein grafting