MSK - Level 2 Flashcards
Description of osteoarthritis?
Damage to synovial joints leads to repair and structural change
o May occur through repeated excessive loading and stress of joint over time, or by injury
Progressive loss of cartilage leads to exposed bone being sclerotic and increased vascularity
Osteophytes form
Epidemiology of osteoarthritis?
- Commonest joint condition
- Prevalence increases with age
- Females 3>1 Males
- Onset >50 years
Typical pattern in males and females of osteoarthritis?
- Females – hands and knees
- Males – hips
Risk factors of osteoarthritis?
o Familial o Age o Obesity o Joint damage or malalignment o Occupation/Sports
Symptoms in localised disease of osteoarthritis?
o Joint pain Worse on movement Relieved at rest Worse at end of day Joint gelling after 30 minutes of rest
o Crepitus, instability, loss of function
Symptoms in generalised disease of osteoarthritis?
o DIP, MCP, MTP and weight-bearing hips
Signs of osteoarthritis?
o Herbeden’s nodes (DIPs) o Bouchard Nodes (PIPs) o Joint tenderness, derangement o Decreased ROM o Mild synovitis o Muscle wasting o Baker’s cyst (OA/RA)
Diagnosis without imaging of osteoarthritis?
o If >45, has activity-related joint pain and NO morning stiffness or lasts <30 minutes
Investigations and their findings in osteoarthritis?
- CXR o Loss of joint space o Osteophytes o Subarticular sclerosis o Subchondral cysts - Raised CRP - Test for Rheumatoid if suspected
General Management of osteoarthritis?
o Leaflet/Arthritis UK website
o Exercise to improve local muscle strength and improve aerobic fitness
o Weight loss
o Appropriate footwear, cold packs, walking aids
o Local heat or ice can help
Analgesic management of osteoarthritis?
o Topical NSAIDs
o If ineffective, short-term oral NSAID (+PPI)
o Intraarticular steroid injection for moderate-to-severe pain
Refer if conservative measures fail
When to refer to surgeon in osteoarthritis? What options are available?
o When?
Joint replacement if impacting on QoL and refractory to non-surgical treatment
o Options?
Total joint replacement
Resurfacing
Fusion
Complications of osteoarthritis?
o Joint deformity
o Functional impairment
o Occupational impact
o Falls
Description of osteoporosis? What are osteoporotic fractures?
- Low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue – leads to increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture
- Osteoporotic fracture = fragility fracture occurring as consequence of osteoporosis
Definition of osteoporosis?
o Osteoporosis = Bone mineral density (BMD) of 2.5 SD below mean – measured by DEXA applied to femoral neck
o Osteopenia = BMD between -1 and -2.5 on DEXA
- It may be primary (age related) or secondary (to conditions or drugs)
Epidemiology of osteoporosis?
- Women mostly – due to decrease in oestrogen in menopause
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will have fragility fracture
Risk Factors of osteoporosis - reduced bone mineral density?
DM, Hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism IBD, Coeliac, pancreatitis CKD Liver failure COPD Menopause Immobility BMI<18.5
Risk factors of osteoporosis - does not reduce bone mineral density?
Age Oral corticosteroids Smoking Alcohol >3 units daily Previous fragility fractures RA Drugs – SSRIs, PPI, Carbamazepine
Symptoms of osteoporosis?
- Usually asymptomatic unless fragility fracture occurred
What are the at risk groups in osteoporosis?
Women >65, Men>75
Over 50 if: Previous osteoporotic fragility fracture Use of corticosteroids History of falls BMI <18.5 Smoker Alcohol >14 per week Secondary cause
Under 50 if:
Use of corticosteroids
Untreated premature menopause
Previous fragility fracture
Under 40 if:
>7.5mg prednisolone for >3 months
Previous or multiple fragility fracture
Consider in:
SSRIs, carbamazepine, GnRH, PPIs, pioglitazone
Testing for at risk groups in osteoporosis?
o Online risk calculator (QFracture/FRAX) to predict 10 year risk
If high (>10%) – DEXA scan to measure BMD
If borderline but risk factors – DEXA scan to measure BMD
When to test without calculating risk in osteoporosis?
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to measure BMD without calculating risk if:
o >50 with Hx of fragility fracture
o <40 with major risk factor for fractures
Bloods performed in osteoporosis?
o Bone screen - Ca, PO4 and ALP usually normal
Management if DEXA >-2.5 or low risk of fractures in osteoporosis? When to reassess?
Lifestyle advice
Regular exercise – walking outdoors, strength training
Eat balanced diet
Stop smoking
Drink within recommended alcohol limits
Reassess at minimum 2 years
Management if DEXA 2.5 or less in osteoporosis - drug treatment?
Bisphosphonate (alendronate 10mg OD or 70mg once weekly; risedronate 5mg OD or 35mg once weekly)
• Oral - if T-score <2.5 and QFRACTURE >1%
• IV - if T-score <2.5 and QFRACTURE >10% and cannot take oral
• Postmenopausal women and men >50
• Postmenopausal women alternative: Denosumab
If calcium adequate (>700mg/day)
• 400 units of colecalciferol daily
If calcium inadequate:
• 400 units of colecalciferol with 1000mg of calcium daily
HRT in women premature menopause (<40 years old)
Management if DEXA 2.5 or less in osteoporosis - lifestyle advice?
Regular exercise – walking outdoors, strength training
Eat balanced diet
Stop smoking
Drink within recommended alcohol limits
Management if DEXA 2.5 or less in osteoporosis - follow up?
Every 3-5 years
• If high risk – continue alendronate for 10 years (7 for risedronate)
• If not high risk – DEXA
o Continue if 2.5 and reassess after 2 years
Description of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterised by symmetrical, deforming, peripheral polyarthritis
Pathology of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Affects typically small joints of hands and feet but can be at any synovial joint
- Synovial fluid inflammation leads to thickening of lining and infiltration by inflammatory cells
- Synovium proliferates over cartilage leaving ‘pannus’ – destroys cartilage and bone
Epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis?
- 1% of population
- Females 2>1 Males
- Incidence increases with age
- Peak onset 50-60 years
Risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis?
o Women o Familial o Genetic HLA-DR4/DR1 o Smoking
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
o Typical
Symmetrical swollen, painful and stiff small joints of hands and feet
Worse in morning (>30 minutes of stiffness) and after activity
Joint instability, subluxation and dislocation
Many joints can be affected
o Less Common
Sudden onset, widespread arthritis
Recurring mono/polyarthritis
o Systemic Illness
Fatigue, fever, weight loss, pericarditis, pleurisy
Signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
o Early (inflammation, no joint damage) Swollen MCP, PIP, wrist, MTP joints
o Later (joint damage, deformity) Ulnar deviation of fingers Dorsal wrist subluxation Boutonnaire deformity Swan-neck deformity Z-deformity of thumbs Rupture of extensor hand tendons Similar foot deformities
Extra-articular signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
Nodules- elbows Lymphadenopathy Vasculitis/Alveolitis/Bronchiolitis Pleural/Pericardial Effusions Reynauds/Carpal tunnel syndrome/Peripheral neuropathy Splenomegaly Episcleritis/Scleritis Osteoporosis Felty's Syndrome (Splenomegaly, RA, pancytopenia)
When should you refer person with suspected rheumatoid arthritis?
- All suspected should be referred to early arthritis clinic
Bloods performed in rheumatoid arthritis?
o FBC – anaemia o CRP, ESR increased o LFTs, U&Es o Rheumatoid Factor Positive in 60-70% o Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated peptide antibodies (Anti-CCP) Highly specific o Antinuclear antibodies Positive in up to 30% of people
Imaging performed (if needed) in rheumatoid arthritis?
- X-Rays of hands and feet
o Soft tissue swelling, osteopenia, decreased joint space
o Later bony erosions, subluxation - Other options
o USS/MRI
o Aspiration
Sterile, high neutrophils
Diagnostic criteria of rheumatoid arthritis? When is diagnostic?
o People with >1 joint with definite swelling not explained by other disease
o Add total scores ≥6/10 is diagnostic
A – Joint Involvement (swelling or tenderness +/- imaging evidence) 1 large joint = 0 2-10 large joints = 1 1-3 small joints = 2 4-10 small joints = 3 >10 joints (≥1 small) = 5 B – Serology Negative RF & Anti-CCP = 0 Low +ve RF/Anti-CCP = 2 High +ve RF/Anti-CCP = 3 C – Acute phase reactants Normal CRP/ESR = 0 Abnormal CRP or ESR = 1 D – Duration of symptoms <6 weeks = 0 > 6 weeks = 1
Management in primary care of rheumatoid arthritis?
Referral needed if RA suspected
• Urgently if small joint of hands and feet affected, >1 joint or delay of 3 months or more between symptom onset and seeking medical advice
Analgesia
• Paracetamol with/without codeine
• If not controlled:
o NSAID/Coxib plus PPI
Secondary care investigations for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
- RF
- Anti-CCP (if RF negative)
- X-ray of hands and feet
Secondary care investigations following diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Anti-CCP
- X-ray in hands and feet
- Functional ability (HAQ) for baseline
Management of flare up of rheumatoid arthritis?
Analgesia – NSAID, paracetamol, codeine
o Offer PPI
Corticosteroid injection o IA (methylprednisolone acetate or triamcinolone acetonide) o IM (methylprednisolone acetate or triamcinolone acetonide)
Oral prednisolone
Lifestyle advice given in rheumatoid arthritis?
- Manage CVD and BP
- Mediterranean diet
- Stop smoking
- Specialist Physiotherapy/OT
- Alcohol stop
- Pneumococcal and Influenza vaccine
Long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis - monitoring treatment response?
o CRP/ESR and disease activity using DAS28 score
Long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis - drug management?
1st step
o DMARD monotherapy within 3 months onset (1st-line)
Methotrexate, leflunomide or sulfasalazine
Consider hydroxychloroquine as alternative
2nd step
o Add another DMARD (oral methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine) when remission/low disease activity not achieved
3rd step
o Add Biological Agents
Sarilumab + Methotrexate (if severe DAS28)
Others – adalimumab, etanerept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab, abatacept
4th Step
o Methotrexate + Rituximab
If severe and no response to other DMARDs, including at least 1 TNF inhibitor
Long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis - surgical management?
- Refer - pain, function, deformity or synovitis progressing despite optimal non-surgical management
- Refer – imminent or actual tendon rupture, nerve compression, stress fracture
Long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis - monitoring?
- 6 months after achieving remission or low disease activity
- Annual review – assess HAQ
- After 1 year of maintenance without steroids – consider stepping down dose of drug or stopping one DMARD
Description of polymyalgia rheumatica?
- Chronic, systemic inflammatory disease – characterised by aching and morning stiffness in the neck, shoulder and pelvic girdle
- Usually >50 years old
Epidemiology of polymyalgia rheumatica?
- Most common inflammatory rheumatic condition in older people
- Same demographics as GCA
- Age >50
Risk factors of polymyalgia rheumatica?
o Older age - >65
o Females
o Northern European
o Infection (mycoplasma, chlamydia, parvovirus B19)
When to suspect polymyalgia rheumatica?
- Suspect in >50 with >2 week history of core symptoms:
o Bilateral shoulder and/or pelvic girdle pain
Worse with movement
Interferes with sleep
May radiate to elbows and knees
o Stiffness lasting >45 minutes
After waking or rest
May cause difficulty turning over in bed, rising from chair
Other features of polymyalgia rheumatica?
o Low grade fever, fatigue, anorexia and weight loss
o Peripheral MSK signs:
Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral arthritis, swelling of limbs
o NO WEAKNESS
Diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica?
o Core features
o Excluding conditions that mimic PMR
GCA, active infection/cancer, arthritis, thyroid disease, statin-induced, myositis
o Positive response to oral corticosteroids
Bloods to arrange in polymyalgia rheumatica?
o CRP raised
o ESR raised (can be normal)
o Arrange in all patients: TFT FBC LFT – raised ALP Protein electrophoresis CK levels normal RF Dipstick urinalysis
Tests to order if features of pathology in polymyalgia rheumatica?
Urine Bence Jones proteins
ANA
Anti-CCP
CXR
Management of polymyalgia rheumatica if most likely diagnosis?
- If PMR most likely diagnosis:
o Oral prednisolone 15mg OD
Follow up after 1 week to see response
o After 3-4 weeks – ESR/CRP and consider reducing dose
When to make working diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica? And management from there?
- Make working diagnosis of PMR if >70% improvement within 1 week and normalised ESR/CRP in 4 weeks
o If less response – increase dose to 20mg
o If still no response – refer to rheumatology
How to reduce prednisolone when fully controlled symptoms in polymyalgia rheumatica?
o 15mg 3-4 weeks o Then 12.5mg for 3 weeks o Then 10mg for 4-6 weeks o Then reduce by 1mg every 4-8 weeks until stopped o Lasts 1-2 years
General advice in polymyalgia rheumatica?
o Provide blue steroid card
o Immediate medical attention if symptoms of GCA
Follow up of polymyalgia rheumatica?
- Follow Up
o 1 week after dose change
o Every 3 months – BP, glucose - Asses osteoporosis fracture risk
When to refer to rheumatologist with atypical PMR with no alternative diagnosis?
o <60
o Red flags – weight loss, night pain, neurological symptoms
o Do not have core symptoms
o Normal ESR/CRP or very high
When to refer polymyalgia rheumatica for specialist management?
o Relapsing when reducing dose
o >2 years steroids
o Repetitive flares
o Lots of adverse effects
Complications of polymyalgia rheumatica?
o GCA and its complications - 15-20%
o Complications of long-term steroid use
Prognosis of polymyalgia rheumatica?
o Good – symptoms usually resolve within 24-72 hours
o 1-2 years of treatment is required
o Relapse common – responds to restarting or increasing dose of steroid
Description of gout?
- Raised uric acid level in blood and deposition of urate crystals in joints and tissues
- Gout tends to attack joints in extremities as temperature in feet low enough to precipitate urate from plasma
Pathology of gout?
o Hyperuricaemia results from overproduction of uric acid and renal underexcretion
o Urate derived from breakdown of purines (meat, peas, lentils, oats, mushrooms, spinach)
o Impaired excretion (Kidney disease, hypertension, Increased PTH, diuretics/aspirin, hypothyroidism)
o Increased production (Increased purines, PCV, Leukaemia, Carcinoma)
Epidemiology of gout?
- Most common inflammatory arthritis
- Men 10x, prevalence increases with age
- Prevalence increasing
Aetiology of gout?
o Cytotoxics o Hereditary o Increased dietary purines o Leukaemia o Diuretics o Alcohol o Associated CVD, HTN, DM, Renal failure
Symptoms of gout?
o Sudden onset, monoarticular pain, swelling and redness
o Most common MTP big toe, ankle, foot or hands
Investigations performed when gout suspected?
- Bloods
o FBC, CRP, U&Es, cholesterol, glucose
o May be done in primary care to find caused - Joint fluid microscopy and culture
o Urate crystals – negatively bifringent
o Rule out septic arthritis - X-ray
o Soft-tissue swelling, then punched-out lesions in peri-articular bone - Serum Uric Acid
o Done 4-6 weeks after acute attack to confirm increased uric acid
Management of acute attack of gout?
o General Advice
Bed-rest
Elevate and ice joint
Keep joint in cool environment
o Drug Treatment
NSAIDs (Diclofenac 75mg bd or if CI colchicine 500mcg bd)
Continue until 1-2 days after acute attack resolved
Do not alter treatment if patient on long-term gout treatment
Oral steroids could be used if NSAIDs CI (prednisolone 15mg od for 5 days)
o Follow Up after 4-6 weeks
Serum uric acid after 4-6 weeks (Aim <300micromol/L)
Measure BP, HbA1c, U&E and lipids
Prevention advice of gout?
o Lose weight o Regular exercise o Stop smoking o Reduce alcohol intake o Stop diuretics o Diet – reduce cholesterol, avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks avoid purine rich foods (meats and seafood)
Drug prevention in gout?
Allopurinol
o after 1st attack of gout
o Start at 100mg (50 if renal impairment) OD, increased in increments of 100mg every 4 weeks until SUA <360 (<300 if frequent flares or tophi)
o Commence after acute attack when not in pain
Colchicine cover with starting allopurinol
Alternative – febuxostat 80mg OD, up to 120mg OD
When to refer to rheumatologist in gout?
o Diagnosis uncertain or during pregnancy or <30
o Persistent symptoms on maximum anti-inflammatory medication
o Intra-articular steroid injection
o Person requires urate-lowering therapy but allopurinol and febuxostat CI or not tolerated
o Complications present
Prognosis of gout?
o Self-limiting – usually resolve within 1-2 weeks
o Around half recur within a year
Complications of gout?
o Tophi occurs in 50% with untreated gout – may become inflamed and infected
o Urinary stones common in people with gout
o Risk factor for chronic kidney disease
Description, symptoms, investigations and management of pseudogout?
o Calcium pyrophosphate deposition in hyaline and fibrocartilage
o Typically affects knees, wrists, hips of elderly with history of arthritic attacks
o Associated with hyperparathyroidism, haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, hypothyroidism
o X-rays show chondrocalcinosis in joint menisci, tendon insertion, ligament, bursa
o Aspiration – weakly positively bifringent crystals on microscopy
o Rx – NSAIDs and rest