MSK 3 Flashcards
what is a synovial joint
two (or more) articulating bones
ARTICULATING surfaces covered by HYALINE cartilage
enclosed fibrous capsule
NON-ARTICULATING surfaces lined by SYNOVIUM (synovial membrane)
joint space filled with synovial fluid
formed from condensing mesenchymal tissue–> interzonal mesenchyme (menisci, cruciate ligaments, synovium)
describe the structure of articular cartilage
- no perichondrium–> makes healing and nutrition difficult
- not innervated
- negligible friction
- chondrocytes make ALL the proteins–> type II collagen and proteoglycans
- formed by ARCHES–> the arches confer structural stability and ability to be compressed (weight bearing)
- mechanism of walking circulates and renews water content–> supplies nutrients and removes waste from joint
what are the two basic layers of the synovium
- superficial (cellular lamina) inner border
2. deep (subcellular intima)
what is found in the superficial/cellular lamina layer of the synovium
consists of SYNOVIOCYTES (which gives the impression of a cell membrane)
- lines inner surface of the synovium
- variable shapes
- 1-3 cell layers thick
- no intracellular junctions or basement membrane (therefore not true epithelium)
**there are two types of synoviocytes: A and B
what are the two types of synoviocytes and how do they differ
found in the superficial/cellular lamina layer of the synovium
A–> 20-30%; MONOCYTE derived–> phagocytose particles within the joint space, produce lytic enzymes; become macrophage-like synovial presenting (dendritic) cell in rheumatoid arthritis
B–> predominant; MESENCHYME derived–> synthesize and secrete lubricating molecules like hyaluronic acid and lubricin
what is found in the deep/subcellular intima layer of the synovium
vascular connective tissue (may be loose, fibrous or adipose)
what is the source of synovial fluid
2 sources: transudate of serum and secretion from type B synoviocytes
transudate is from fenestrated capillaries in the connective tissue of the synovium (excludes molecules > 100 nm)
what happens to the transudate portion of the synovial fluid during inflammation
during inflammation, capillaries become leaky and cell counts increase from 100/ml to >50 000/ml and EXUDATE
what is the meniscus composed of
fibrocartilage
mixture of dense regular CT and cartilage
type I collagen fibres in parallel
what is the purpose of the structure of the synovial joint? (i.e what function does it serve)
the presence of lubricating fluid and the capsule around the joint allow for a greater range of motion without friction
how do the synovial joint structures relate to one another during expansion (i.e not weight bearing)
- negative GAG side chains repel each other
- side chains attract water
- cartilage matrix volume increases
- matrix expansion is limited by the collagen arcade
how do the synovial joint structures relate to one another during compression (i.e weight bearing)
- weight bearing pushes GAG side chains together
- side chains release water
- reduces cartilage matrix volume
describe the consistency of synovial fluid
viscous
non-newtonian fluid with egg white consistency
what is the principle role of synovial fluid
reduce friction between articular cartilage during movement
what secretes synovial fluid
(some is transudate from fenestrated capillaries)
synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid in the joint cavity
what does synovial fluid contain
- hyaluronan–> secreted by fibroblast-like cells (type B synoviocytes)
- lubricin–> secreted by chondrocytes of the articular cartilage and type B synoviocytes
- interstitial fluid filtered from the blood plasma
in addition to reducing friction, what is another role of synovial fluid
also participates in nutrient and waste transportation
fluid supplies oxygen and nutrients and removes CO2
protects cartilage and other joint structures from stresses during loading
how does synovial fluid protect joint structures/cartilage during loading
it is a non-compressable fluid film trapped between articular surfaces during loading–> this is called molecular sieving
list the different types of synovial fluid
type 0–> normal
type 1–> non-inflammatory
type 2–> inflammatory
type 3–> septic
type 4–> hemorrhagic
describe the following attributes of type 0 (normal) synovial fluid
- volume
- viscosity
- clarity
- color
- WBC count
- polys (%)
- gram stain
- glucose
- protein
- crystals
for type 0 (normal)
- less than 3.5 ml
- high
- clear
- colorless/straw
- less than 200
- less than 25%
- negative
- normal
- normal (1/3 serum)
- none
describe the following attributes of type 1 (non-inflammatory) synovial fluid
- volume
- viscosity
- clarity
- color
- WBC count
- polys (%)
- gram stain
- glucose
- protein
- crystals
for type 1 (non-inflammatory)
- > 3.5 ml
- high viscosity
- clear
- straw/yellow color
- 200-2000 WBC/mm3 (mostly mononuclear)
- less than 25%
- negative
- normal
- normal (1/3 serum)
- none
describe the following attributes of type 2 (inflammatory) synovial fluid
- volume
- viscosity
- clarity
- color
- WBC count
- polys (%)
- gram stain
- glucose
- protein
- crystals
for type 2 (inflammatory)
- > 3.5 ml
- low viscosity
- cloudy
- yellow color
- 2000-75000 WBC/mm3 (mostly polyonuclear)
- > 50% polys
- gram stain negative
- decreased glucose
- increased protein
- positive for crystals if in the setting of gout; negative for crystals if in the setting of rheumatoid arthritis
describe the following attributes of type 3 (septic) synovial fluid
- volume
- viscosity
- clarity
- color
- WBC count
- polys (%)
- gram stain
- glucose
- protein
- crystals
for type 3 (septic)
- > 3.5 ml
- mixed viscosity
- opaque
- mixed color
- > 100 000 WBC/mm3
- > 75% polys
- gram stain often positive
- glucose is very decreased
- increased protein
- no crystals
describe the following attributes of type 4 (hemorrhagic) synovial fluid
- volume
- viscosity
- clarity
- color
- WBC count
- polys (%)
- gram stain
- glucose
- protein
- crystals
for type 4 (hemorrhagic)
- > 3.5 ml
- high viscosity
- mixed clarity
- red color
- > 100 000 WBCs/mm3
- > 75% polys
- negative gram stain
- normal glucose
- normal protein (1/3 serum)
- no crystals
in what patient might you expect to see crystals in synovial fluid
in a patient with gout and inflammatory synovial fluid
would you expect to see crystals in the synovial fluid of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis
no
in what type of synovial fluid is viscosity low?
inflammatory (type 2)
in what type of synovial fluid is there increased protein?
inflammatory (2) and septic (3)
what is the normal volume of synovial fluid
how does the synovial fluid change in the setting of osteoarthritis
- non-inflammatory fluid (type 1)
- low WBC
- mostly mononuclear
- thick and transparent–viscous
how does the synovial fluid change in the setting of rheumatoid arthritis
- inflammatory fluid (type 2)
- high WBC
- mostly polynuclear cells
- thin, watery, slightly turbid fluid
how does the synovium seem in rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid synovium) differ from normal synovium
in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the synovium becomes HYPERTROPHIED–> swells to several cell thickness
thick villous fronts with increased number of type 2 synoviocytes
marked edema and cellular infiltrate, predominantly of LYMPHOCYTES –> lymphocytes infiltrate the synovium and some aggregate into large lymphoid follicles–> lymphoid follicles also contain plasma cells
what is pannus
unique to RA–> not seen in other inflammatory synovitis
it is FIBROVASCULAR GRANULATION tissue
denotes the markedly hyperplastic synovium which occurs at the cartilage and bone interface
believed to be responsible for the marginal subchondral erosions characteristic of RA
what elements of a history would suggest inflammatory (RA) arthritis
- morning stiffness lasting for more than 30 min
- pain WORSE at REST
- begins slowly and insidiously with malaise, fatigue and generalized musculoskeletal pain
- usually begins in the hands followed by wrists, ankles, elbows and knees
- progressive joint enlargement, decreased ROM evolving to complete ankylosed
what elements of a history would suggest non-inflammatory arthritis
- SHORT duration morning stiffness (shorter than in RA)
- deep achy pain worsens with activity and is RELIEVED by REST
- usually asymptomatic until age 50 or so
- limited ROM
what elements of a physical exam would suggest inflammatory arthritis (RA)
- pattern of joint involvement varies but generally is SYMMETRICAL and small joints are affected before large joints
- joints may be large and warm
- +/- fever
- RADIAL deviation of WRIST
- ULNAR deviation of FINGERS (swan neck deformity, boutonniere deformity)
- large synovial cysts (baker cysts)
what elements on a physical exam might suggest non-inflammatory arthritis (i.e OA)
- crepitus on passive ROM
- joint line tenderness
- bony enlargement of affected joints
- usually involves the HIPS, KNEES, lower LUMBAR and CERVICAL vertebrae
- involves PIP and DIP joints (i.e heberden nodes, bouchard’s nodes)
in which type of arthritis might you expect to see heberdens or bouchard’s nodes
non-inflammatory arthritis (OA)
what synovial fluid WBC count would you expect to see in the setting of non-inflammatory arthritis?
what synovial fluid WBC count would you expect to see in the setting of inflammatory arthritis (RA)?
> 2000/uL
also see high CRP and/or ESR
how do OA and RA presentations tend to differ in regard to the knees in particular?
knee joints tend to be:
VALGUS in RA
VARUS in OA
how do the natural histories of OA and RA differ?
RA is a disease of subtraction while OA is a disease of cartilage loss but also of addition (subchondral sclerosis and osteophytes)
list the 4 groupings/classifications of inflammatory arthritis
- seropositive
- seronegative
- crystal arthropathies
- arthritis associated with infection
what diseases fall under:
seropositive inflammatory arthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis (+RA factor)
- lupus (+ ANA)
- arthritis of other collagen vascular diseases (+CCP)
what diseases fall under:
seronegative inflammatory arthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis (- RA factor… occurs in 15% of RA cases)
- ankylosing spondylitis
- psoriatic arthritis
what diseases fall under:
crystal arthropathies
- gout
(monosodium urate crystals) - CPPD
(calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystals) - HAA
(calcium hydroxyapatite crystals)
what diseases fall under:
arthritis associated with infection
- septic arthritis
(S. aureus, S. epidermis) - viral
(rubella, parvovirus, HBV) - subacute bacterial endocarditis
- TB, fungi
- lyme arthritis
what viruses are associated with inflammatory arthritis
rubella
parvovirus
HBV
list the classifications/groupings of symmetrical polyarthritis
- infectious
- post-infectious
- seronegative
- rheumatoid arthritis
- systemic arthritis
- sarcoidosis
- malignancy
what diseases are associated with infectious symmetrical polyarthritis
- bacterial (IE)
- lyme
- viral (rubella, hepatitis, parvo)
what diseases are associated with post-infectious symmetrical polyarthritis
- reactive syndrome
2. rheumatic fever
what diseases are associated with seronegative symmetrical polyarthritis
spondylarthropathy (psoriatic, IBD)
what diseases are associated with systemic symmetrical polyarthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- vasculitis
- Still’s
- Bechet’s
- RP
what are the features of inflammatory arthritis
inflammation is localized in a close proximity to skeletal structures which allows inflammatory tissue to directly engage bone and cartilage in the disease process leading to a change and remodelling of the joint architecture
leads to irreversible damage and an impairment or loss of function of joints
hallmark feature of inflame arthritis is it is persistent and symmetrical
what is the hallmark feature of inflammatory arthritis
persistent and symmetrical
what % of those with RA are seropositive
80-85%
what are the clinical features of seropositive inflammatory arthritis (RA)
- often have rheumatic nodules, especially in the olecranon process (must be seropositive to have nodules)
- often have erosions on underlying bone to joint (present in advanced stages of disease)
- joints often become deformed and smaller, due to cartilage destruction
- pannus is usually present, which is hypertrophied synovium (this is usually where the erosions occur)
- joints can be subluxed or ankylosed
- juxta-articular osteopenia is seen in underlying bone (reduced bone mass)
- subchondral cysts are often seen in advanced disease
- valgus deformity of the knees (as opposed to varus in OA)
for those with RA (seropositive inflammatory arthritis):
where are rheumatic nodules often found?
in the olecranon process (though can have elsewhere)
for those with RA (seropositive inflammatory arthritis):
why do you often see joints becoming deformed or smaller?
due to cartilage destruction
for those with RA (seropositive inflammatory arthritis):
where do erosions usually occur (in association with what other deformity)
erosions usually occur in areas where pannus is present
what is ankylosis
immobility and consolidation of a joint due to disease, injury or surgical procedure
what is a subluxed joint
partial dislocation
for those with RA (seropositive inflammatory arthritis):
what type of knee deformity do you often see
valgus deformity
for those with RA (seropositive inflammatory arthritis):
what joints are involved?
- small joints of the hands–> tho NOT DIPs
- -see ulnar deviation of MCPs
- -Z deformity of the thumb
- -swan neck or boutonniere deformities as well - wrists
- can sometimes see radial deviation - elbows
- shoulders
- hips
- knees
- ankles
- feet
for those with RA (seropositive inflammatory arthritis):
what joints in particular are NOT involved
DIP joints of hands
what is the definition of lupus
inflammatory autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organ systems characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against cell nuclei
characterize the nature of the arthritis that can be associated with lupus
seropositive inflammatory arthritis
NON-erosive (different than RA)
transient
symmetrical
affecting small joints
seldom deforming
less severe than RA
there is a list of clinical features/symptoms that are associated with lupus and used in diagnosis…. how many of those features must a person have to be diagnosed
4/11
what are the 11 clinical features used in the diagnosis of lupus
- malar rash (fixed erythema, flat or raised)
- discoid rash (erythematous raised patches)
- renal disease
- immunological abnormalities (positive LE cell; anti-ds-DNA; anti-Sm; any anti-phospholipid)
- photosensitivity
- arthritis
- neurological disease
- positive ANA
- oral ulcers
- serositis
- hematological disease (hemolytic anemia; leukopenia; lymphopenia; thrombocytopenia)
what “3 Ds” on history can be useful in the diagnosis of arthritis
- diurnal variation
- nights and mornings in inflammatory arthritis; prolonged AM stiffness - distribution
- DIPs are not involved in RA–think OA in this case or psoriatic arthritis - duration
- acute vs. chronic (always look for pattern)
list the features of pain that should be asked during a history
SOREST-AAA
Site--have patient point to spot Onset--acute, gradual R--referral/radiation E--exacerbating/alleviating S--severity T--temporal aspects (diurnal variation)
A–aggravating (position, activity)
A–alleviating (position, meds)
A–associated features (morning stiffness, duration, fever, chills)
DDx for monoarticular inflammatory arthritis (general)
- seropositive (RA)
- serogenative
- INFECTIOUS
- crystal induced
DDx for polyarticular inflammatory arthritis
- seropositive
- seronegative
- infectious (lyme disease, bacterial endocarditis, septicaemia, gonoccocal, viral)
- post-infectious (rheumatic fever, reactive arthritis)
DDx for non-articular inflammatory arthritis (pain syndrome)
soft tissue–> bursitis, tendonitis
DDx for mono-articular non-inflammatory arthritis
- hemarthrosis (trauma, coagulopathy)
- neoplasm
- degenerative (especially OA)
DDx for polyarticular non-inflammatory arthritis
degenerative (OA)
DDx for non-articular non-inflammatory arthritis (pain syndrome)
- neurological involvement (spinal stenosis, degenerative disc)
- vascular claudication
- fibromyalgia
what is one element of the history that can be useful in distinguishing between inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis
morning stiffness
describe morning stiffness in inflammatory versus non-inflammatory arthritis
inflammatory–> morning stiffness lasts more than 30 min and pain is worse at rest
non-inflammatory–> short duration morning stiffness with pain relieved by rest and worsened with activity
what is the etiology of RA
not fully understood
evidence of a genetic predisposition–> HLA-DR4 haplotype and HLA-DRB1 linked to higher risk
some evidence of an infectious agent as the trigger for development of RA in a genetically susceptible host
infectious agents known to cause arthritis: parvovirus, rubella, HBV, bacteria
environmental triggers: CIGARETTES, microbes, chemicals
what genetic markers can indicate predisposition/higher risk to RA
- HLA-DR4 haplotype
2. HLA-DRB1
what are some proposed environmental triggers for RA
CIGARETTES
microbes
chemicals
in what ways do the agents:
mycoplasma
parvovirus
retroviruses
trigger RA
through direct synovial infection
in what ways do the agents:
enteric bacteria
mycobacterium
EBV
trigger RA
via molecular mimicry
in what ways do the agents:
bacterial cell walls
trigger RA
macrophage activation
in what ways do the agents:
periodontal bacteria
trigger RA
can citrullinate proteins using endogenously produced PAD enzymes
what is the pathogenesis of RA
autoimmunity
- an inciting agent, such as a microbe, alters normal self antigens–> creates a neo-antigen which the host immune system then reacts against
- alternatively, the infectious organism may have similar protein sequences to the HLA-DRB1 sequence of the susceptible host
- -> this may trick the CD4+ lymphocytes which have antigen recognition sites to HLA markers to react against self cells in a specific way; an infectious agent may express a CROSS REACTIVE T CELL EPITOPE leading to an immune reaction which induces T helper cells (the molecular mimicry hypothesis) - there is also evidence for polycloncal activation of both B and CD4+ T lymphocytes in RA
- the usual mechanism which suppresses autoimmunity in the normal host may be impaired when autoreactive antigen presenting cells such as B lymphocytes present antigen to non-autoreactive CD4+ T lymphocytes
- autoreactive antigen-presenting cells may stimulate and thereby gain help from CD4+ lymphocytes which would have normally remained anergic