intro to rheumatology Flashcards
what is rheumatology?
a speciality that focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the joints, muscles and bones as well as certain autoimmune disorders
-eg arthritis (OA and RA), autoimmune diseases,
distinguish between acute, sub acute and chronic
-acute - usually less than 6 weeks
-sub acute - between 6-12 weeks
-chronic - more than 12 weeks
give examples of rheumatology conditions
-osteoarthritis
-rheumatoid arthritis
-ankylosing spondylitis - arthritis of the spine
-hypermobility syndrome
-psoriatic arthritis - occurs in people with psoriasis
what are important blood tests potentially related to rheumatology?
-full blood count including Hb
-white cell count
-erythrocyte sedimentation rate ESR
-C creative protein
-anti-nuclear antibody
what are the general principles of management of rheumatological conditions?
-chronic conditions - long term management
-strategies to deal with acute flare up
-managing disease activity vs managing symptoms - for some of the conditions
-individualised and tailored to the person
what are the 3 types of management categories for rheumatology?
-conservative pharmacological - eg drug therapy
conservative non pharmacological - physio, OT, diet, EDUCATION
-surgical - eg hip or knee replacement, tendon repairs
what is the self management of a condition?
the individuals ability to manage symptoms, treatment, physical and psychosocial consequences and lifestyle changes in living with a chronic condition
what is the aim of patient education?
-facilitate informed consent
-improve understanding about the condition
-improve and enhance decision making about management
-improve, maintain or at very least slow deterioration
what types of things would we educate rheumatology patients on as physios?
-pathophysiology of condition
-natural course of the disorder
-self management principles
-role of physiotherapy
-different treatment options including evidence
-role of MDT
