MSK Flashcards
What is gout?
An inflammatory arthritis associtated with hyperuricaemia and intra-articular negativley bifingent needle shaped monosodium urate crystals. Generally occurs in middle aged men
What causes gout?
Purine rich foods such as red meat, high alcohol intake (especially Beer), high fructose/saturated fat intake, high insulin levels, kidney disease and ischaemic heart disease
Describe the process leading to gout?
In purine metabolism hypoxanthine is converted to xanthine, xanthine is then converted to uric acid. Excess uric acid which is not secreted by the kidneys is sometimes converted to monosodium urate crystals
S&S of gout?
Extreme pain, swelling and redness of the first MTP joint (in the big toe), urate renal stones may also form and renal impariment may occur if gout is frequent
Treatment of gout?
High dose NSAIDS or Colchicine, intra-articular corticosteroids
Allopurinol (inhibits xanthine oxidase) and weight loss/dietary changes = long term prevention
What is psuedo gout?
Deposits of positivley bifingent rhomboid shaped calcium phosphate crystals. Generally occurs in older women
S&S of pseudogout?
Painful, hot and swollen joint (tends to be knee/wrist) and fever due to synovitis
What is an important test that should be done in pseudogout?
Joint fluid culture to exclude septic arthritis
Treatment of psuedo gout?
Aspirate joint, intra-articular corticosteroids and high dose NSAIDs/Colchicine
What is chronic tophaceous gout?
Occurs in those with persistantly high urate levels. Monosodium urate crystals form smooth white deposits (tophi) in the skin, joints and on the achille’s tendon. Tophi release proteolytic enzymes which errode bone.
What is osteoarthritis?
A non-inflammatory degenerative arthririts characterised by cartilage loss with inflammation of the articular and periarticular structures
What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Joint hypermobility, increasing age, being female after menopause, diabetes, obesity, genetic predisposition and occupation (e.g. manual labour = small hand bones)
S&S of osteoarthritis?
Mechanical pain (with movement), gradual onset but progressive symptoms, <30mins morning stiffness, pain relieved by rest, Herberden’s nodes (DIP) and Bouchard’s nodes (PIP). SYSTEMIC FEATURES ARE ABSCENT AS IT IS NON-INFLAMMATORY
What is seen on X-rays/tests in osteoarthritis?
LOSS - Loss of joint space, Osteophytes, Subarticular sclerosis and Subchondral Cysts
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
An inflammatory autoimmune disorder causing symetrical deforming polyarthropathy
What are the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?
Being female, smoking, genetic predisposition (HLA-DR4/HLA-DRB1)
S&S of rheumatoid arthritis?
Slow, progressivley worsening painful/warm/swollen/tender joints, morning stiffness > 30mins, ulnar deviation, swan neck thumb, boutonniere deformity and fatigue
What is seen on X-rays/tests in rheumatoid arthritis?
LESS = Loss of joint space, Erosions (periarticular), Soft tissue swelling, Soft bones
What are the best markers of rheumatoid arthritis
Anti-CCP antibodies present = THE BEST and rheumatoid factor positive
What is the treatment specifically for rheumatoid arthritis?
DMARDs (such as methotrexate or sulfasalazine), may be accompanied by TNF-alpha antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab may also be used
What is osteoporosis?
A systemic skeletal disease characterised by a microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risk
What are the primary causes of osteoporosis?
Menopause and increasing age
What are the secondary causes of osteoporosis?
SHATTERED = Steroids, Hyperthyroidism/Hyperparathyroidism, Alcohol/cigarettes, Thin (BMI <22), Testosterone (low), Estrogen (low), Renal/liver failure, Erosive/inflammatory bone disease, Diabetes mellitus
S&S of osteoporosis?
This tends to be asymptomatic until there is a fracture (often a proximal femur/vertebral crush/colle’s fracture), kyphosis seen in thoracic vertebral fracutures
What is a T-score?
A standard deviation gender-matched score of bone mass using DEXA. It is compared to the young adult average. -1 to -2.5 = osteopenia, >-2.5 = osteoporosis,
Treatment for osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates, HRT/testosterone replacement, Denosumab (inhibits RANK ligand which normally stimulates osteoclasts), diet and lifestyle modification, weight bearing exercises
What is osteomalacia?
Defective mineralisation of bone leading to uncalcified osteoid/cartilage despite normal bone amount occuring AFTER the fusion of the epiphyses (if before it will be rickets).
What causes osteomalacia?
Malabsorption disorders (e.g. coeliac’s/chron’s), lack of sunlight, renal failure, liver disease/cirrhosis and tumours
S&S of osteomalacia?
Muscle weakness with waddling gait, bone pain worse on weight bearing, bone tenderness and fractures
S&S of rickets?
Growth retardation/hypotonia, knock-knees/bow-legs, widened epiphyses at the wrist
What is hypophosphataemia?
The main cause of osteomalacia. Low vitamin D = low calcium = increased PTH secretion = low phosphate (calcium will remain low due to lack of vitamin D)
What are the risk factors of SLE?
Epstein-Barr virus, genetic (linked to HLA genes), being a woman, being Afro-carribean or Asian
S&S of SLE?
Butterfly/photosensitive rash, reynaud’s phenomenom, glomerulonephritis with persisitant proteinuria, mouth ulcers, soft tissue swelling, small joint arthralgia, seizures
What is found in blood samples of SLE?
Raised ESR but normal CRP, Anti-nuclear antibody positive, anti-dsDNA positive (most specific but only positive in 60%), some will also be RF positive
Treatments for SLE?
Non-specific (can’t be cured), anti-CD20 e.g. rituximab, immunosuppresants e.g. azathoprine/methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine (for fatigue/arthralgia not controlled by NSAIDs), corticosteroids
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
Thrombosis with or without reccurent miscarriages with positive blood tests for anitphospholipid antibodies
S&S of antiphospholipid syndrome?
CLOT = Coagulation defects, Livedo reticularis, Obstetric issues, Thrombocytopenia