AS, CTS, etc Flashcards
What conditions are in the spondyloarthropathy category?
Ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthropathy, reactive arthropathy, Reiter Syndrome, Intestinal Arthopathy, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease, and juvenile ankylosing spondylitis
What relates the spondylarthopathies together?
They are a family of related disorders linked by common pathology. Chronic inflammation involving sacroiliac joints, axial skeleton, and peripheral joints to a lesser degree.
What is ankylosing spondylitis? What is its etiology?
Inflammed spine growing together. It is considered to be prototypical spondylarthropathy (SpA), etiology is unknown but is associated with a genetic predisposition associated with HLA-B27. 90% of patients with AS have a + HLA-B27
What is the antigen associated with AS?
HLA-B27
How is AS characterized?
It is symmetric sacroiliitis and progressive inflammatory arthritis, involved tendons and insertions, not the bone
What is the CP of AS?
Aching low back pain around SI joint area, persistent morning back stiffness for more than one hour. Pain can awaken them in the morning.
Stiffness exacerbated by inactivity and improves with moderate activity.
Can be a/w Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and costosternal junctions
What way does AS progress?
Proximally
What constitutional symptoms may occur during an acute exacerbation? What age range is this more common in?
Low grade fever, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, night sweats; more common in adolescents than adults
What are some extra-articular manifestations of AS involving the eyes?
acute anterior uveitis (iritis) is the MOST FREQUENT, present in 25% of AS patients. Unilateral circumcorneal flush is also present and resolves after 2-3 months
What are some extra-articular symptoms of AS?
Cardiac (AV block or aortic regurgitation during diastole),
Pulmonary fibrosis (rare)
Neurologic (cauda equina syndrome secondary to fxs)
TMJ dysfunction and fibromyalgia
What are PE exam findings in AS?
Limited spinal motion (always)
Tenderness over SI joint +/- muscle spasm
loss of lumbar lordosis
accentuation of thoracic kyphosis and cervical forward flexion
tenderness and swelling of affected joints
What is the Shober Test of AS?
Mark 10 cm above and 5 cm below intersection of iliac crests and spine. Patient should then flex forward as much as possible and the total distance should be measured (>20cm is normal, less is abnormal)
What are lab studies for AS?
There is no specific test for AS, CBC may show N/N anemia consistent with anemia of chronic disease
ESR and/or CRP is elevated in 75% (sensitive not specific)
alkaline phosphatase is elevated in 50% due to ossification
What does a positive HLA-B27 antigen represent in AS?
HLA-B27 is present in people without AS too, so a negative result is more useful in excluding diagnosis than a positive result in confirming diagnosis
What does a radiograph reveal in AS?
lumbar spine x-rays reveal blurring of coritcal margins of SI joints, followed by erosions, sclerosis, and pseudo-widening of joint space
Vertebral body squaring along with ossification of annular fibrosis leads to fusion of vertebral bodies and bamboo spine
What is the first line treatment of AS?
NSAIDs (indomethacin most effective, may consider Celebrex)
Rheumatology referral if NSAIDs and conservative therapy are ineffective
Intra-articular steroids should only be used every 3-4 months
What will a rheumatologist do to treat AS?
Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab);
Sulfasalazine for peripheral arthritis;
Other: methotrexate, azathioprine
What are other treatment options for AS?
Anti-depressents, hypnotics, ophthalmology referral for iritis and uveitis
Surgery for severe arthritis
What are some supportive measures for AS?
Daily exercise (essential), stretching and strengthening exercises, individualized PT training, exercise programs, swimming, water therapy, and postural training
What is the most common entrapment neuropathy? What is it also considered?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; it is considered cumulative trauma disorder, largely an occupational problem