Bones, Joints, & Soft Tissue Flashcards
The adult skeleton is constantly turning over, with 10% of the skeleton being replaced annually.
When is peak bone mass achieved?
Early adulthood, after cessation of skeletal growth
By the fourth decade of life, resorption occurs at a greater rate than formation, leading to decreased overall skeletal mass
______ is the receptor activator for NF-kB on osteoclast precursors that, when bound by its ligand, activates transcription factor NF-kB which is essential for the generation and survival of osteoclasts, leading to bone ______
RANK; breakdown
RANKL is expressed on ____ and ______ cells
Osteoblasts; marrow stromal cells
“Decoy” receptor made by osteoblasts that binds RANKL and prevents its interaction with RANK - thus resulting in continued bone formation
OPG (osteoprotegrin)
Role of WNT/beta-catenin in bone homeostasis
WNT proteins are produced by osteoprogenitor cells; they bind LRP5 and LRP6 receptors on osteoblasts, triggering activation of beta-catenin and production of OPG
_____ is produced by osteocytes and inhibits the WNT/beta catenin pathway
Sclerostin
Hormones involved in bone building vs. bone breakdown
Build: estrogen, testosterone, vit D
Breakdown: PTH, IL-1, glucocorticoids
________ receptor on osteoclast precursors stimulates tyrosine kinase cascade that is crucial for generation of osteoclasts
M-CSF
Defect in HOXD13 leading to clinical phenotype of short, broad terminal phalanges of first digits
Brachydactyly types D and E
Defect in RUNX2 leading to clinical phenotype of abnormal clavicles, wormian bones, and supernumerary teeth
Cleidocranial dysplasia
[AD inheritance; wormian bones are extra bones w/i cranial sutures]
Defect in FGFR3 leading to clinical phenotype of short stature with normal trunk length, rhizomelic shortening of limbs, frontal bossing, and midface deficiency
Achondroplasia
[most common skeletal dysplasia and a major cause of dwarfism; no change in longevity, intelligence, or reproductive status]
Defect in FGFR3 leading to clinical phenotype of severe limb shortening and bowing, frontal bossing, and depressed nasal bridge
Thanatophoric dysplasia
[die at birth or soon after]
COL2A1 defect affecting type 2 collagen leading to clinical phenotype of short trunk
Achondrogenesis type 2
Mutation in CLCN7 affecting carbonic anhydrase (CA2), leading to clinical phenotype of increased bone density, fragility, and renal tubular acidosis
Osteopetrosis with RTA
Most common inherited disorder of connective tissue, primarily affecting bone but also joints, eyes, ears, skin, and teeth (blue sclera, hearing loss, dental imperfections)
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Molecule affected in osteogenesis imperfecta
Alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of type I collagen
Describe the specific collagen defect and inheritance pattern of osteogenesis imperfecta type 1
Decreased synthesis of pro-alpha1(1) chain
Abnormal pro-alpha1(1) or pro-alpha2(1) chains
[Collagen structure is normal, but present in smaller amounts]
Inheritance: Autosomal Dominant
Describe the major clinical features and prognosis associated with osteogenesis imperfecta type 1
Postnatal fractures Normal stature Skeletal fragility Dentinogenesis imperfecta Hearing impairment Joint laxity Blue sclerae
Prognosis: compatible with survival
Describe the specific collagen defect and inheritance pattern of osteogenesis imperfecta type 2
Abnormall short pro-alpha1(1) chain
Unstable triple helix
Abnormal or insufficient pro-alpha2(1)
Inheritance: mostly autosomal recessive
Describe the major clinical features and prognosis associated with osteogenesis imperfecta type 2
Death in utero or within days of birth
Skeletal deformity with excessive fragility and multiple fractures
Blue sclerae
Prognosis: perinatal lethal
T/F: with type 1 osteogenesis imperfecta, most fractures occur before puberty and decrease in frequency with age
True
Osteopetrosis is associated with a mutation in ______ which encodes proton pumps on the surface of osteoclasts.
This leads to a ______ _____ deficiency, which is required by osteoclasts and renal tubular cells
CLCN7
Carbonic anhydrase
Describe bone defects in osteopetrosis
Bones lack medullary cavity
Bulbous ends of long bones (erlenmyer flask shape)
Neural foramina are small and compress cranial nerves (leads to optic atrophy, deafness, facial paralysis, etc.)
Osteopetrosis may develop through autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant inheritance. Describe the autosomal recessive form
AR = Severe infantile type
More common in children of Mediterranean and Arab race
Results in cranial nerve deficits (optic atrophy, deafness, facial paralysis)
Postpartum mortality d/t fractures, anemia, and hydrocephaly
Osteopetrosis may develop through autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant inheritance. Describe the autosomal dominant form
AD = mild form, diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood
Characterized by repeated fractures, mild cranial nerve deficits, and anemia
Lysosomal storage diseases caused by deficiency in enzymes (usually acid hydrolases) that degrade dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate
Mucopolysaccharidoses
[leads to accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in chondrocytes and in extracellular space —> structural defects in articular cartilage —> short stature, chest wall abnormalities, and malformed bones]
Differentiate defining criteria for osteopenia vs. osteoporosis
Osteopenia = decreasd bone mass 1.0-2.5 SD below the mean
Osteoporosis = decreased bone mass at least 2.5 SD below the mean peak bone mass in young adults (aka osteopenia severe enough to increase risk of fracture)
Other than a bone mass at least 2.5 SD below the mean, what clinical event signifies progression of osteopenia to osteoporosis?
Atraumatic or vertebral compression fracture
2 most common forms of osteoporosis
Senile osteoporosis
Postmenopausal osteoporosis
Describe pathogenesis of senile osteoporosis, low turnover variant
Age-related changes include decreased proliferative and biosynthetic potential (aka an overall decreased capacity to make bone), AND a decreased cellular response to growth factors
How do changes in physical activity contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis?
Mechanical forces stimulate normal bone remodeling. Load magnitude influences bone density — so resistance exercises are best for increasing bone density
Bone loss is seen with decreased physical activity including conditions of immobility, paralysis, astronauts in zero gravity, etc.
Genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis
Few cases have a single gene defect in LRP5
Other genes that may be involved include RANKL, OPG, RANK, HLA focus, estrogen receptor gene, vit D receptor gene (involved in Wnt signaling)
What role does calcium nutritional state play in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis?
Adolescent girls have insufficient calcium intake during period of rapid growth, thus restricting their peak bone mass until ultimately achieved (especially if dieting or have an eating disorder)
[note: calcium deficiency, increased PTH, and decreased vit D may also contribute]
Hormonal influences play a big role in pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis — leading to ACCELERATED bone loss. 10 years after menopause, there are yearly reductions of up to 2% cortical and 9% cancellous bone. 30-40 years after menopause 35% cortical and 50% of cancellous bone are lost.
Describe the major hormone involved and how it affects pathogenesis in the high turnover variant of this condition
Estrogen deficiency —> increased resorption and formation. In the high turnover variant — Formation < resorption
Decreased estrogen increases secretion of inflammatory cytokines by blood monocytes and bone marrow cells, which stimulate osteoclast recruitment and increased RANKL, decreased OPG, leading to decreased osteoclast proliferation and prevention of osteoclast apoptosis
Inflammatory cytokines implicated in postmenopausal osteoporosis
IL-1
IL-6
TNF-alpha
Effect of standard breast cancer treatments such as adjuvant chemo or hormonal therapy on risk of osteoporosis
Increased bone loss, leading to increased risk of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is morphologically normal bone, just decreased in quantity. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is associated with increased osteoclast activity, especially in bones with increased surface area such as cancellous bones of the vertebral bodies. The result is perforation, thinning, and loss of interconnections within ______, leading to microfractures and vertebral collapse
Trabeculae
In ______ osteoporosis, the morphology consists of cortical thinning by subperiosteal and endosteal resorption, leading to widening of Haversian system (may mimic cancellous bone)
Senile
Genetic, nutritional, and environmental risk factors for osteoporosis
Genetic: caucasian, light colored hair and eyes
Nutrition: low calcium intake, high phosphorus intake
Environmental: smoking
How is osteoporosis typically diagnosed?
Bone mineral density test (DEXA-scan) — early signs may not even show up on Xray (need >30% bone loss to detect on plain film)
Blood tests may be done to determine secondary causes of osteoporosis, such as renal or hepatic failure, hyperthyroidism, etc
Clinical course of osteoporosis includes vertebral fractures, loss of height due to increased lumbar lordosis and kyphoscoliosis, and potential fracture complications such as PE and PNA.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Bisphosphonates — decrease osteoclast activity and induce osteoclast apoptosis
[other options include hormone therapy, anti-RANKL agents, etc]
Acquired disorder presenting in late adulthood - resulting in increased BUT disordered and structurally abnormal bone mass; the axial skeleton and femur are involved in up to 80% of cases; avg age at dx is 70
Paget disease (aka osteitis deformans)
The pathogenesis of Paget disease is considered both genetic and environmental. Describe genetic basis for this condition
40-50% familial
5-10% sporadic mutations in SQSTM1 gene —> increased activity of NF-kB —> increased osteoclast activity
Describe hallmark morphology of Paget disease
Mosaic pattern of lamellar bone, seen in sclerotic phase
Jigsaw-like appearance with prominent cement lines = haphazardly oriented units of lamellar bone
3 phases of paget bone changes/morphology
- Initial lytic phase — large osteoclasts with 100 nuclei (normal is 10-12 nuclei)
- Mixed phase — clasts persist, but lots of blasts also; primarily osteoblastic at end of this stage
- Final phase — burned-out quiescent osteosclerotic stage characterized by coarsely thickened trabeculae and cortices that are soft and porous, lacking structural stability; fractures easily
Clinical features of paget disease
Weight bearing leads to bowing of femurs and tibia, distorting the femoral head and leading to secondary osteoarthritis
Chalk-stick type fractures of long bones of legs
Compression fractures of spine produce spinal cord injury and kyphosis
Hypervascularity of paget bone warms the overlying skin. Increased blood flow acts as arteriovenous shunt leading to high-output heart failure
In paget disease, there is usually ________ serum alk phosphatase, ______ calcium, and _____ phosphorus
Increased; normal; normal
Rickets and osteomalacia are both manifestations of _____ deficiency or its abnormal metabolism, leading to impairment of mineralization and resultant accumulation of unmineralized matrix
Vit D
What is the difference between rickets and osteomalacia?
Rickets = children; interferes with deposition of bone in growth plate
Osteomalacia = adults; bone formed during remodeling is undermineralized, predisposing to fractures
Frontal bossing Squared off head Rachitic rosary of ribs Pigeon chest Lumbar lordosis Bowed legs
Rickets
PTH leads to ______ of osteoclasts
Activation
[thus hyperparathyroidism leads to significant skeletal changes related to unabated osteoclast activity]
Untreated primary hyperparathyroidism leads to what 3 primary skeletal abnormalities?
Osteoporosis
Brown tumors
Osteitis fibrosa cystica (von recklinghausen disease of bone)
Where is osteoporosis most severe with hyperparathyroidism?
Phalanges, vertebrae, and proximal femur
[this is because increased osteoclast activity is most prominent in cortical bone (subperiosteal and endosteal surfaces), medullary bone not spared]
_____ _____ = osteoclasts tunnel into and dissect centrally along length of trabeculae creating appearance of railroad tracks
Dissecting osteitis
What are “brown tumors” (associated with hyperparathyroidism)
Bone loss predisposes to microfracture that elicits influx of macrophages and ingrowth of reparative fibrous tissue creating a mass of reactive tissue
[tumors are brown d/t vascular, hemorrhage, and hemosiderin deposition; can undergo cystic degeneration]
Skeletal changes that occur in chronic renal disease, including those associated with dialysis, including osteopenia/osteoporosis, osteomalacia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and growth retardation
Renal osteodystrophy
Histologic bone changes associated with renal osteodystrophy
High-turnover osteodystrophy — increased bone resorption and bone formation; resorption > formation
Low-turnover or aplastic disease — adynamic bone (little osteoclastic and blastic activity); less commonly osteomalacia
Mixed: areas of high turnover and low turnover
3 mechanisms by which renal disease causes skeletal abnormalities
- Tubular dysfunction — RTA low pH dissolves hydroxyapatite —> demineralization
- Generalized renal failure —> decreased phosphate excretion and thus chronic hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Decreased production of secreted factors (vit D3)
In what pt population is renal osteodystrophy most serious?
Kids — because their bones are still growing so deformities are more significant
Fracture in which overlying skin is intact
Simple fracture
Fracture in which bone communicates with skin surface
Compound fracture
Fracture in which bone is fragmented
Comminuted
Fracture in which ends of bone at the fracture site are not aligned
Displaced fracture
Slowly developing fracture that follows a period of increased physical activity in which bone is subjected to repetitive loads
Stress fracture
Fracture extending only partially through bone, common in infants when bones are soft
Greenstick fracture
Fracture involving bone weakened by an underlying disease process, such as a tumor
Pathologic fracture
Healing of fracture begins immediately, as rupture of blood vessels results in a ______ which fills the fracture gap and surrounds the area of bone injury.
Clotted blood forms fibrin mesh, sealing the site and creating framework for influx of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. Degranulated platelets and migrating inflammatory cells release ____, _____, and ____ which activate osteoprogenitor in the periosteum, medullary cavity, and surrounding soft tissues, and stimulate osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity
Hematoma
PDGF; TGF-B; FGF
In terms of fracture healing, by the end of the first week there is a soft tissue _____ or ______ which will be fusiform and predominantly uncalcified
Callus; procallus
[overall stages are 1. Hematoma formation, 2. Callus formation, 3. Callus ossification, 4. Bone remodeling]