MSK Flashcards
Sx of OA?
Localised disease (hip/knee): Pain and crepitus on movement with background ache at rest - joints may feel unstable. Symptoms worse with prolonged activity. Generalized disease (nodal): Bouchard's nodes (PIP) and Heberden's nodes (DIP), reduced range of movement and mild synovitis
What is seen on X-ray in OA?
Loss of joint space, Osteophytes, Subchondral cysts and Subarticular sclerosis
Tx of OA?
Exercise to improve local muscle strength and weight loss if obese.
Analgesia (regular paracetamol or NSAIDs), intra-articular corticosteroids, joint arthroplasty.
Sx of septic arthritis?
Sudden onset severe joint pain and swelling, colour change in the skin around the joints and fever
Tx of septic arthritis?
Aspirate the joint and send for microbiological culture
Start antibiotic treatment ASAP.
Common causative organisms of septic arthritis? How can you identify them?
Staph. aureus = gram positive catalase positive cocci which is also coagulase positive
Neisseria gonococcus = gram negative diplococci
Streptococcus and Gram -ve bacilli
Sx of RA?
Symmetrical swollen, painful and stiff small joints of the hands/feet which is worse in the morning.
Ulnar deviation, Boutonniere deformitiy and Swan-neck deformity
Fever, fatigue, weight loss and pericarditis
Dx of RA?
Anti-CCP positive
X-ray = Loss of joint space, Errosions, Soft bones (juxta-articular osteopenia), Soft tissue swelling and joint deformity
Tx of RA?
Eary use of DMARDs, steroids, TNF-alpha inhibitors e.g. infliximab. Give NSAIDs for pain
Sx of gout?
Sudden onset severe joint pain and swelling (often in the MTP joint of the big toe). Tophi indicate long term high urate levels
RFs for gout?
Impaired renal function: hypertension, diuretics, anti-hypertensives, aspirin and DM
High purine diet e.g. red meat, seafood, alcohol etc.
Tumour lyisis syndrome
Dx and Tx of gout?
ASPIRATE! Negativley birefringent, needle shaped, monosodium urate crystals seem on microscopy.
High dose NSAIDs/steroids/colchicine. Allopurinol for long term prevention.
Dx and Tx of pseudogout?
ASPIRATE! Positivley birefingent phosphate crystals - usually affects the knee.
Intra-articular steroids. NSAIDs and colchicine for long term prevention
Name the spondylarthropathies. What do they have in common?
Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis and Reactive arthritis.
Seronegative (RF -ve), associated with HLA B27, generally asymmetrical, enthesitis, dactylitis and iritis
Sx of ankylosing spondylitis?
Young man with gradual onset lower back pain which radiates down the buttocks and is worse at night. Has morning stiffness which is relieved by exercise and progressive loss of spinal movement
Tx of ankylosing spondylitis?
Exercise, NSAIDs, local steroid injections and TNF-alpha-blockers e.g. adalimumab
Sx of psoriatic arthritis?
Pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, nail changes e.g. pitting, synovitis => dactylitis and errosive bone changes e.g. pencil-in-cup X-ray deformity
Tx of psoriatic arthritis?
NSAIDS, sulfsalazine/methotrexate and anti-TNF agents
Sx of reactive arthritis?
Iritis/conjunctivitis, urethritis and pain/joint stiffness = Reiter's triad Keratoderma blenorrhagica (brown plaques on palms/soles), painless penile ulceration (if chlamydia)
Sx and Dx of Sjogren’s syndrome?
Decreased tear production = dry eyes, decreased salivation = dry mouth and parotid swelling
Schirmer’s test, usualy ANA positive