Locomotor: Osteoarthritis

Question 1

What is primary osteoarthritis?

Answer 1

no preceding injury to the joint

Question 2

What is secondary osteoarthritis?

Answer 2

caused by another disease or condition

e.g. obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures, congenital abnormalities, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and other hormone disorders

Question 3

what are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?

Answer 3

Age >50 years. 
Female gender. 
Obesity. 
Genetic factors.
Physical/manual occupation. 
Knee malalignment.

Question 4

what are some clinical features of osteoarthritis?

Answer 4

• pain
• functional difficulties
• knee, hip, hand or spine involvement
• bony deformities
• limited range of motion
• bony malalignment
• tenderness
• crepitus

Question 5

which conditions present in a similar way to osteoarthritis?

Answer 5

Bursitis.
Gout.
Psuedogout. 
Rheumatoid arthritis. 
Psoriatic arthritis. 
Avascular necrosis.
Internal derangements e.g. meniscal tears.

Question 6

what investigations would you conduct to diagnose osteoarthritis?

Answer 6

X-Ray of affected joints
serum CRP
serum ESR

Question 7

what is the first line treatment for osteoarthritis?

Answer 7

Intra-articular corticosteroid injections.
local analgesics.

(e.g., capsaicin, methylsalicylate cream, or topical NSAIDs)

Question 8

what is the second line treatment for osteoarthritis?

Answer 8

Paracetamol + local analgesia

Question 9

what is the third line treatment for osteoarthritis?

Answer 9

NSAIDs + paracetamol + local analgesia.

Question 10

what are some complications of osteoarthritis?

Answer 10

Joint deformity.
Functional impairment and disability. 
Falls. 
Chronic pain syndrome. 
may affect ability to work. 
may affect self-esteem.