Exercise and arthritis

Question 1

what is arthritis?

Answer 1

a chronic joint disorder characterised by degeneration of joint cartilage and adjacent bone that can cause joint pain and stiffness

Question 2

what is the most common form of arthritis?

Answer 2

Osteoarthritis

Question 3

where does osteoarthritis most commonly effect ?

Answer 3

knees, hips and hands

Question 4

what is the first stage of osteoarthritis?

Answer 4

Cells that produce collagen and proteoglycans become abnormal

Question 5

what causes the pain in arthritis?

Answer 5

cartilage thins and cracks. Rough cartilage causes pain during movement

Question 6

what causes swelling in arthritis ?

Answer 6

Inflammation means synovium is thickened, Increase in synovial fluid, joint swells

Question 7

what is rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 7

An autoimmune disease affecting the whole body

Question 8

what causes weakness in rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 8

Inflammatory cytokines (TnF alpha) produced by macrophages cause weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and weight loss (cachexia)

Question 9

what happens in rheumatoid arthritis? (6)

Answer 9

• T cells in synovial fluid becomes corrupted and unable to distinguish between foreign and normal body cells
• Excessive production of Immunogloblins and an inflammatory cytokines
• Aggressive production of interlukin 6 causes persistant inflammation and joint destruction
• Osteoclast activity also stimulated
• Excessive Ig causes abnormal growth and division on synovial cells and cartilage cells
• Macrophages migrate to, release enzymes that cause synovitis

Question 10

how much of a genetic component does rheumatoid arthritis have?

Answer 10

60%

Question 11

what are the non genetic factors of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 11

• age
• hormonal factors
• infections
• smoking
• obesity

Question 12

how does age cause arthritis?

Answer 12

less and less durable cartilage made

Question 13

how is inactivity a risk factor for arthritis?

Answer 13

Weakness od quadriceps is a risk factor for OA

Question 14

what are the symptoms of arthritis? (5)

Answer 14

• Pain and crepitation on movement
• Joints become enlarged and deformed
• inflammation
• Ligaments become stretched = unstable
• Decrease ROM or complete freezing

Question 15

why do people with arthritis have less muscular strength/endurance/dlexibility?

Answer 15

• inactivity causes detraining
• structural changes in bone, tendons
• reduced co-ordination and motor control

Question 16

How can exercise benefit arthritis?

Answer 16

• increase muscle strength/ joint mobility

- reduces swelling

Question 17

how does movement help the cartilage?

Answer 17

movement increase “feeding” of cartilage cells

Question 18

How does and increase in strength benefit arthritis?

Answer 18

• Quadriceps strengthening acts to cushion force transmission- through the muscle rather than the joint
• Improvement in quad/hamstring ratio helps balance loads on joint

Question 19

what might exercise increase the production of?

Answer 19

TnF alpha production