MSK Flashcards
Does an asymmetrical presentation indicate rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis
1st line management of RA?
DMARD monotherapy (e.g. methotrexate) +/- a short course of bridging prednisolone.
What is the 1st line DMARD in RA?
Methotrexate
What should you consider in patients with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica that do not respond to steroids?
Consider an alternative diagnosis –> patients with polymyalgia rheumatica typically respond dramatically to steroids
What scoring system is used to measure disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis?
DAS28
What 2 Abs are seen in RA?
1) Rheumatoid factor (RF)
2) Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)
What is used to manage the acute flares of rheumatoid arthritis?
IM steroids e.g. methylprednisolone
What is Felty’s syndrome?
A complication of RA.
Characterised by RA + splenomegaly + low WCC.
What are 6 respiratory complications of RA?
1) Pulmonary fibrosis
2) Pleural effusion
3) Pulmonary nodules
4) Bronchiolitis obliterans
5) Methotrexate pneumonitis
6) Pleurisy
What is a cardiac complication of RA?
IHD –> RA carries a similar risk to type 2 diabetes mellitus
Features of a prolapsed lumbar disc?
Usually produces clear dermatomal leg pain associated with neurological deficits.
- Leg pain usually worse than back
- Pain often worse when sitting
Mx of prolapsed disc?
Similar to that of other MSK lower back pain: analgesia, physiotherapy, exercises
When is referral for MRI appropriate in a prolapsed disc?
iIf symptoms persist e.g. after 4-6 weeks)
Features of a prolapsed disc with S1 nerve root compression?
1) Sensory loss –> posterolateral aspect of leg and lateral aspect of foot
2) Weakness in plantar flexion of foot
3) Reduced ankle reflex
4) Positive sciatic nerve stretch test
When can a diagnosis of osteoarthritis be made clinically (i.e. without imaging)?
In individuals aged ≥45y who present with activity-related joint pain and experience minimal morning joint stiffness lasting <30 minutes.
Stepwise Mx of osteoarthritis?
Lifestyle –> weight loss, local muscle strengthening exercises and general aerobic fitness
1) Topical NSAIDs
2) Oral NSAIDs (+ PPI)
3) Intra-articular steroid injections (patients should be aware that they only provide short-term relief (2-10 weeks)
4) Joint replacement
What is the key investigation in the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica?
ESR and CRP (raised)
Is there true weakness of limb girdles in polymyalgia rheumatica on examination?
No - any weakness of muscles is due to myalgia (pain inhibition)
What are some poor prognostic factors in RA?
1) RF positive
2) anti-CCP Abx
3) poor functional status at presentation
4) X-ray: early erosions (e.g. after < 2 years)
5) extra articular features e.g. nodules
6) HLA DR4
7) insidious onset
How does onset affect prognosis in RA?
Acute –> better prognosis
Insidious –> worse prognosis
What is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
A common condition in which the sheath containing the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons is inflamed.
It typically affects females aged 30 - 50 years old.
How does De Quervain’s tenosynovitis present?
With pain on the radial side of the wrist and tenderness over the radial styloid process.
Abduction of the thumb against resistance is painful
What test is used in examination of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Finkelstein’s test.
The examiner pulls the thumb of the patient in ulnar deviation and longitudinal traction. In a patient with tenosynovitis this action causes pain over the radial styloid process and along the length of extensor pollisis brevis and abductor pollicis longus.
Mx of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Analgesia & steroid injection
How will the leg appear in a posterior hip dislocation (i.e. sitting in a car during an accident)?
Leg shortening & internal rotation.
Why are chemotherapy patients at an increased risk of gout?
From increased urate production.
Cytotoxic drugs cause an increase in the breakdown of cells, releasing products that are degraded into uric acid.
Features of growing pains?
- never present at the start of the day after the child has woken
- no limp
- no limitation of physical activity
- systemically well
- normal physical examination
- motor milestones normal
- symptoms are often intermittent and worse after a day of vigorous activity
What is the most commonly associated condition with scleritis?
RA
1st line for lower back pain?
NSAIDs (co-prescribe PPIs for patients over the age of 45 years)
Muscle strength in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)?
Normal
Weakness is not considered a symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica.
Onset of PMR?
Rapid (<1 month)
What is a key investigation in patients with temporal arteritis?
Vision testing -> risk of permanent vision loss
What accounts for the majority of ocular complications in temporal arteritis?
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
This results from occlusion of the posterior ciliary artery (a branch of the ophthalmic artery) → ischaemia of the optic nerve head.
What does fundoscopy show in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy caused by temporal arteritis?
Fundoscopy typically shows a swollen pale disc and blurred margins
Temporal arteritis may result in temporary visual loss.
What is this called?
amaurosis fugax
What blood findings are there in temporal arteritis?
Raised inflammatory markers (ESR & CRP)
Investigations in temporal arteritis?
1) Inflammatory markers
2) Vision testing
3) Temporal artery biopsy
What may be present on a temporal artery biopsy in temporal arteritis?
Skip lesions
What should be given as soon as the diagnosis of temporal arteritis is suspected and before the temporal artery biopsy?
Urgent high dose glucocorticoids:
If no visual loss –> high dose prednisolone
If evolving visual loss –> IV ethylprednisolone is usually given prior to starting high-dose prednisolone
Steroid response in temporal arteritis?
There should be a dramatic response, if not the diagnosis should be reconsidered.
What are 4 causes of avascular necrosis of the hip?
1) long term steroid use
2) chemo
3) alcohol excess
4) trauma
What condition do Gottron’s papules indicate?
Dermatomyositis –> these are roughened red papules over extensor surfaces of fingers
What is dermatomyositis?
An inflammatory disorder causing symmetrical, proximal muscle weakness and characteristic skin lesions.
What is it important to screen for in dermatomyositis?
Underlying malignancy
What are some causes of carpel tunnel syndrome?
1) idiopathic
2) pregnancy
3) oedema e.g. heart failure
4) lunate fracture
5) rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
History of symptoms in carpel tunnel?
- pain/pins and needles in thumb, index, middle finger
- unusually the symptoms may ‘ascend’ proximally
- patient shakes his hand to obtain relief, classically at night
What 2 signs are seen in carpel tunnel syndrome?
1) Tinel’s sign –> tapping causes paraesthesia
2) Phalen’s sign –> flexion of wrist causes symptoms
Levels of what are normally high in sarcoidosis?
ACE levels
Features of acute sarcoidosis?
- erythema nodosum
- bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
- swinging fever
- polyarthralgia
How does trochanteric bursitis present?
With isolated lateral hip/thigh pain with tenderness over the greater trochanter
What are the ocular manifestations of RA?
1) keratoconjunctivitis sicca (most common)
2) episcleritis (erythema)
3) scleritis (erythema and pain)
4) corneal ulceration
5) keratitis
Mx of a prolapsed disc causing sciatica?
Start treatment with NSAIDs and refer for physio.
A referral for sciatica is appropriate after 4-6 weeks of conservative treatment (analgesia and physiotherapy) has failed.
What is broken down into uric acid?
Purines
Pathophysiology of gout?
1) Raised uric acid levels due to purine breakdown
2) Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals accumulate in joints
3) Inflammatory response
Repeated episodes of acute gout can lead to chronic gouty arthritis, what is this characterised by?
Tophi formation, joint damage & chronic pain
Where are gouty tophi typically seen?
Hands, elbow & ears
When diagnosing gout, when should uric acid levels be measured?
around 6 weeks following the first presentation of suspected gout