MSK/Rheumatology Flashcards
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
What causes it?
- Degenerative joint disorder with loss of hyaline cartilage “wear and tear”
- Primary (no underlying cause) or secondary to joint trauma or obesity
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What joints does OA tend to affect?
What symptoms might a patient complain of?
- Large weight bearing (hip, knee), also carpometocarpal joints, DIP/PIPJs
- Morning stiffness <30m + stiffness after rest
- Joint pain which is exacerbated on movement
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What are some examination signs of OA?
- Deformity = squaring of thumb (carpometacarpal joint of thumb), Bouchard nodes (PIPJ swelling) + Heberden nodes (DIPJ swelling)
- Decreased range of movement
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What investigation would you do in suspected OA and what would you expect to see?
Joint x-ray shows LOSS –
- Loss of joint space
- Osteophytes
- Subchondral cysts
- Subchondral sclerosis
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the conservative management of OA?
- Weight loss
- Aerobic exercises for muscle strengthening (avoid weight-bearing)
- Physio/OT
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the stepwise medical management of OA?
- First line = paracetamol + topical NSAID gel
- Second line = PO NSAIDs (+ PPI) or weak then stronger opioids
- Intra-articular steroid injections
OSTEOARTHRITIS
After medical management, how might you manage OA?
- Surgical = arthroplasty (joint replacement), arthroscopy (loose bodies), fusion
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
What is the epidemiology?
- Autoimmune inflammatory synovial joint disease commonly presenting with a symmetrical distal polyarthropathy affecting small joints
- F>M, peak onset 40–60s
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What joints does RA tend to affect?
What symptoms might a patient complain of?
- Small joints in hands + feet, almost NEVER DIPJs
- Early morning stiffness >30m which improves with use
- Swollen, painful joints in hands + feet
- Systemically unwell (fatigue, flu-like illness)
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are some examination signs of RA?
- Swollen, red, warm + tender joints
- Ulnar deviation of fingers at the MCPJs
- Z-shaped deformity of thumb
- Boutonnière thumb = hyperextended DIPJ, flexed PIPJ
- Swan-neck deformity = hyperextended PIPJ, flexed DIPJ
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are some extra-articular manifestations of RA?
- Eyes = keratoconjunctivitis sicca #1, (epi)scleritis, corneal ulceration
- Neuro = carpal tunnel syndrome
- Resp = pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion, nodules
- Cardio = pericardial effusion, IHD
- Felty syndrome = RA + splenomegaly + low WCC
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
A patient with known RA presents with neck pain, weakness and loss of sensation in the arms. What has happened?
- Atlanto-axial joint subluxation
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What investigations would you do in RA?
- FBC = anaemia of chronic disease
- Raised CRP/ESR
- Serum Ab = rheumatoid factor (IgM) first-line but anti-CCP if negative as more specific
- XR of hands + feet
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What does an xray show in RA?
LESS –
- Loss of joint space
- Erosions (periarticular)
- Soft tissue swelling
- Soft bone (periarticular osteoporosis) + Subluxation
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are some poor prognostic markers in RA?
- RF
- Anti-CCP
- XR showing early erosions
- Extra-articular signs
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the mainstay of management for RA?
Give some examples
- Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS How is methotrexate prescribed? Does it require monitoring? What drugs should be avoided and why? What are some side effects?
- Once weekly, 5mg folic acid on separate day
- Regular FBC, U&E, LFTs baseline, weekly, 3/12
- Trimethoprim + co-trimoxazole as risk of marrow aplasia
- Myelosuppression, liver/pulmonary fibrosis, teratogenic (M+F stop 6m prior to conception)
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are some side effects of…
i) leflunomide?
ii) sulfasalazine?
iii) hydroxychloroquine?
i) HTN, peripheral neuropathy
ii) Rashes, oligospermia
iii) Retinopathy (reduced vision), nightmares
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What more advanced treatments may be used in RA management and what are some side effects of them?
- TNF-alpha inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept) = severe infections, reactivation of TB
- Rituximab (monoclonal Ab to CD20) = night sweats + thrombocytopaenia
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the stepwise management of RA?
- 1st = DMARD monotherapy ± short course of bridging prednisolone
- 2nd = 2 DMARDs in combination
- 3rd = Methotrexate PLUS TNF-alpha inhibitor
- 4th = Methotrexate PLUS rituximab
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
How do you manage a flare of RA?
How does NICE recommend you assess response to RA management?
What other options might you consider in RA management?
- PO/IM corticosteroids
- CRP + disease activity (DAS28 score)
- Analgesia (NSAIDs), physiotherapy + surgery
GOUT
What is gout?
- Inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricaemia (>0.45) + intra-articular deposition of monosodium urate crystals
GOUT
What are the two broad aetiologies of gout and some examples for each?
- Increased uric acid production = myelo- + lymphoproliferative disorders, chemotherapy, severe psoriasis
- Decreased uric acid excretion = diuretics, renal impairment, alcohol excess
GOUT
What are some potential triggers of a gout episode?
What are some risk factors for gout?
- Seafood/protein binges, chemo, trauma + surgery
- Men, obesity, CKD, DM, medications (diuretics, ACEi)
GOUT
What joints are typically affected in gout?
What is the clinical presentation of gout?
- Classically 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, also wrists + CMCJ of thumb
- Acute hot, swollen, red + painful joint
- Reduced ROM
- Mild fever
GOUT
What are two potential sequelae from gout?
- Chronic tophaceous gout = large smooth white deposits (tophi, urate crystals) in skin + joints (DIPJ, elbows, ears)
- Chronic polyarticular gout = painful erythematous swelling
GOUT
What investigations would you do in gout and why?
- Serum urate (2w after attack as can be low/falsely normal)
- Joint fluid aspiration MC&S to rule out septic arthritis
- Joint XR
GOUT
What would joint fluid aspiration MC&S show in gout?
- NO bacterial growth = excludes septic arthritis
- Needle shaped crystals
- Negative birefringence under polarised light
GOUT
What would a joint xray show in gout?
- NORMAL joint space
- Soft tissue swelling
- Periarticular erosions
GOUT
What lifestyle advice would you recommend in gout?
- Reduce alcohol + avoid in acute
- Lose weight
- Avoid purine rich food = liver, kidney, seafood, oily fish
GOUT
How do you manage an acute flare of gout?
What is a side effect to be aware of?
- NSAIDs first line (unless C/I) if not colchicine
- Colchicine = slower onset + can cause diarrhoea
- Steroids may be considered
GOUT
What is the prophylaxis for gout and it’s mechanism?
When is it started?
What drug should you be cautious of?
- Allopurinol = xanthine oxidase inhibitor > reduces uric acid levels
- After acute attack (2w) + cover with colchicine or NSAID
- Azathioprine toxicity due to 6-mercaptopurine build up
PSEUDOGOUT
What is pseudogout?
What are some associations with it?
- Microcrystal synovitis caused by deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals on joint surfaces
- Hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, haemochromatosis + hypophosphataemia
PSEUDOGOUT
What joints are typically affected in pseudogout?
What is the clinical presentation of pseudogout?
- Knee, wrists + shoulder
- Acute hot, swollen, red, painful joint
- Reduced ROM
PSEUDOGOUT
What investigations would you do in pseudogout and what would you find?
- Joint fluid aspiration MC&S = no bacterial growth (excludes septic arthritis), rhomboid-shaped crystals, Positive birefringence under polarised light
- XR = chondrocalcinosis (calcium deposition in cartilage of joints)
PSEUDOGOUT
What is the management of pseudogout?
- NSAIDs or colchicine if C/I
- PO/intra-articular corticosteroids if both above C/I
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
- Seronegative spondyloarthropathy = HLA B27 associated typically affecting the sacroiliac joints + joints of the vertebral column
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the clinical presentation of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Insidious onset lower back pain + stiffness in a young man
- Stiffness worse in the morning + improves with exercise
- Night pain which improves with movement
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What are some examination signs of ankylosing spondylitis
- Reduced lateral + forward flexion (Schober’s test <20cm)
- Loss of lumbar lordosis + progressive thoracic kyphosis
- Reduced chest expansion
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What are some extra-articular features of ankylosing spondylitis?
- As = Apical fibrosis, Anterior uveitis, Aortic regurg, Achilles tendonitis (enthesitis), AV node block, Amyloidosis
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What investigations may you do in ankylosing spondylitis?
What investigation is most useful?
- FBC, CRP/ESR elevated, HLA B27 +ve
- CXR = apical fibrosis
- Restrictive spirometry
- Plain x-ray of sacroiliac joints/spine most useful
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What features may be present on x-ray in ankylosing spondylitis?
- Sacroiliitis = subchondral erosions, sclerosis
- Squaring of lumbar vertebrae
- Syndesmophytes = ossification of outer fibres of annulus fibrosus
- Bamboo spine (fusion) is late finding
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the management of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Encourage regular exercise, physio input
- NSAIDs = first line
- DMARDs only useful if peripheral joint involvement
- Anti-TNF therapy if persistently high disease activity despite treatments
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What is psoriatic arthritis?
What are the 5 different types?
- Seronegative spondyloarthropathy = HLA-B27 associated
- Symmetrical polyarthritis (>5 joints)
- Asymmetrical oligoarthritis (<5 joints)
- Spondylitic pattern
- Distal interphalangeal joint arthritis
- Arthritis mutilans
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What are some features of…
i) symmetrical polyarthritis?
ii) asymmetrical oligoarthritis?
iii) spondylitic pattern?
iv) arthritis mutilans?
i) Like RA but DIPJ affected and MCPJ less affected in comparison
ii) Mainly affects digits
iii) Back stiffness + sacroiliitis, more common in men
iv) Severe deformity with destruction of bone in digits > telescoping
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What is the clinical presentation of psoriatic arthritis?
What are some extra-articular findings?
- Joint pain, swelling + stiffness
- Anterior uveitis, aortitis, amyloidosis
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What are some clinical signs seen in psoriatic arthritis?
- Psoriatic plaques (check scalp, behind ears, umbilicus, natal cleft)
- Nail changes = onycholysis, pitting, subungual hyperkeratosis
- Enthesitis = Achilles’ tendonitis, plantar fasciitis
- Tenosynovitis
- Dactylitis
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What investigation might you do in psoriatic arthritis and what might you see?
- XR = erosive changes + new bone formation, periostitis, ‘pencil-in-cup’ appearance
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What is the management of psoriatic arthritis?
- Guided by rheumatologist > mild peripheral arthritis = NSAIDs, some may be on monoclonal antibodies
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What is reactive arthritis?
- Seronegative spondyloarthropathy = HLA-B27 with sterile inflammation of the synovial membrane due to autoimmune reaction to infection elsewhere
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What causes reactive arthritis?
- Post-dysenteric illness = Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter
- Post-STI = chlamydia (more common in men)
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What is the clinical presentation of reactive arthritis?
- 4w post-infection triad of “can’t see, can’t pee, can’t climb a tree” = conjunctivitis, urethritis + arthritis
- Usually asymmetrical oligoarthritis of lower limbs
- Systemically unwell
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What are the extra-articular manifestations of reactive arthritis?
- Anterior uveitis
- Circinate balanitis (painless vesicles on prepuce)
- Keratoderma blenorrhagica = waxy yellow/brown papules on palms/soles
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What investigations would you do in reactive arthritis?
- Raised CRP/ESR
- HLA-B27 +ve
- Joint MC&S to exclude septic arthritis = sterile with high neutrophils
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What is the management of reactive arthritis?
- Analgesia (NSAIDs), ?intra-articular steroids
- DMARDs (methotrexate/sulfasalazine) if Sx >6m
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is septic arthritis?
How does it occur?
What can cause it?
- Acute joint infection which can cause damaging inflammation + joint loss <24h
- Commonly haematogenous spread
- # 1 overall = staphylococcus aureus
- # 1 in young, sexually active = neisseria gonorrhoea
- In infants, think about group B strep
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What are some risk factors for developing septic arthritis?
- Pre-existing joint disease (especially RA)
- Prosthetic joints
- IVDU
- Immunosuppression (DM/HIV)
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is the clinical presentation of septic arthritis?
Additional features in paeds?
- Acute red, hot, swollen joint (commonly knee)
- Pain on movement + reduced ROM
- Systemically unwell (fever)
- Paeds = may present with limb + refusal to weight bear
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What investigations would you do for septic arthritis?
- Blood cultures, FBC (raised WCC), CRP/ESR raised
- Joint aspiration for MC&S crucial
- XR joint
- Kocher criteria ≥3 = temp>38.5, non-weight bearing, raised ESR + WCC
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is the management of septic arthritis?
- IV Abx often flucloxacillin (clindamycin if pen allergic) before sensitivities back
- Arthroscopic lavage may be required, analgesia
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is osteomyelitis?
What are the two ways it can occur?
- Infection in the bone + bone marrow, often in metaphysis of long bones
- Haematogenous from bacteraemia (#1 paeds) or non-haematogenous from spread from adjacent soft tissues (#1 adults)
OSTEOMYELITIS
What are some risk factors for haematogenous spread osteomyelitis?
What are some risk factors for non-haematogenous spread osteomyelitis?
- Sickle cell anaemia, IVDU, immunosuppression
- PVD, DM + diabetic foot ulcers
OSTEOMYELITIS
What are some common organisms that can cause osteomyelitis?
- Staph. aureus #1, H. influenzae
- Most common in sickle cell anaemia = Salmonella
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is the clinical presentation of osteomyelitis?
- Local pain, swelling + erythema
- Refusal to weight bear + reduced ROM
- Systemically unwell (fever)
OSTEOMYELITIS
What are some investigations for osteomyelitis?
- FBC (raised WCC), raised ESR/CRP, blood cultures
- XR may be normal so MRI is best diagnostic imaging
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is the management of osteomyelitis?
- IV empirical Abx (flucloxacillin or clindamycin if pen allergic) until sensitivities back
- Surgical debridement mainstay for chronic
SLE
What is the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
What is the epidemiology?
- Multi-system autoimmune disease where immune system dysregulation leads to immune complex formation + deposition (T3HR)
- More common in females, Afro-Caribbean + Asian communities + onset 20–40y
SLE
What are some drugs that may cause SLE?
What are some potential triggers of SLE?
- SHIPP = Sulfonamides, Hydralazine, Isoniazid, Phenytoin, Procainamide
- Oestrogen containing contraception, sunlight overexposure, infections + stress
SLE
What is the clinical presentation of SLE?
DOPAMINE RASH –
- Discoid lupus (erythematous raised patches with keratotic scales)
- Oral ulcers
- Photosensitivity
- Arthritis
- Malar rash (spares nasolabial folds)
- Immunological
- Neuro (psychosis, depression, seizures)
- ESR raised
- Raynaud’s/renal involvement (proteinuria, HTN)
- ANA +ve
- Serositis (pleurisy, pericarditis)
- Haem (anaemia of chronic disease, low WCC + plts)
SLE
What are some investigations you might do in SLE?
- FBC (anaemia of chronic disease, low WCC + plts)
- Antibodies = 99% ANA +ve (not specific), anti-dsDNA (specific) and anti-Smith (specific), anti-histone in drug induced lupus
SLE
How would you monitor SLE disease activity?
- ESR as CRP can be normal so raised CRP ?infection
- Complement levels (C3/4) LOW in active disease
- Urinalysis + urine ACR to monitor for proteinuria
SLE
What is the leading cause of death in SLE?
What are some other complications?
- CVD
- Infections, pericarditis, pleurisy
- Lupus nephritis > nephrotic syndrome > ESRF
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
SLE
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
- Acquired disorder leading to predisposition to venous + arterial thromboses, recurrent foetal loss + thrombocytopaenia
SLE
What is the clinical presentation of antiphospholipid syndrome?
CLOTS
- Coagulation defect (raised APTT)
- Livedo reticularis
- Obstetric (Recurrent miscarriage)
- Thrombocytopaenia
SLE
What markers in the blood would you look for in antiphospholipid syndrome?
What is the primary thromboprophylaxis of antiphospholipid syndrome?
- Anticardiolipin + lupus anticoagulant antibodies
- Low dose aspirin
SLE
How do you manage VTE in antiphospholipid syndrome?
- First = lifelong warfarin with INR target 2–3
- Subsequent on warfarin = INR target 3–4
SLE
What is the management of SLE?
- Conservative = sun block
- Mainstay = DMARD hydroxychloroquine + NSAIDs
- Consider pred or cyclophosphamide if internal organ involvement
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What is giant cell arteritis (GCA)?
What is it associated with?
- Large vessel vasculitis
- PMR, those >60y/o
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What is the clinical presentation of GCA?
- Severe unilateral temporal headache
- Scalp tenderness (brushing hair)
- Jaw claudication
- Blurred, double vision, amaurosis fugax
- Systemic = fever, fatigue, weight loss
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What signs might be present in GCA?
- Tender, thickened, pulseless temporal artery
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What initial investigations would you do in GCA?
- FBC = normocytic anaemia + thrombocytosis
- LFTs = raised ALP
- CRP/ESR (ESR >60mm/h in >60y/o)
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What other investigations would you do in GCA?
What investigation is diagnostic?
- Duplex USS temporal artery = hypoechoic halo sign
- Vascular for temporal artery biopsy Dx = multinucleated giant cells, ?skip lesions
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What are some potential complications of GCA and how are they managed?
- Stroke
- Permanent monocular blindness due to anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
- Ophthalmology for emergency same day appt if visual Sx
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
What is the management of GCA?
- Stat high dose corticosteroids before biopsy = IV methyl pred (visual loss), PO pred (no visual loss) + gradually taper
- Bisphosphonate + PPI cover whilst on steroids
- Aspirin 75mg OD to decrease vision loss + stroke risk
POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA
What is polymyalgia rheumatica?
How does it usually present?
- Inflammatory condition strongly associated to GCA causing muscle stiffness
- Rapid onset <1m in a white woman >60y/o
POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA
What is the clinical presentation of polymyalgia rheumatica?
- Bilateral shoulder + pelvic girdle pain
- Aching + morning stiffness in proximal limb muscles but NO weakness
- Systemic = low-grade fever, fatigue
POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA
What investigations would you do in polymyalgia rheumatica?
What is the management?
- ESR/CRP raised, creatinine kinase + EMG normal
- PO prednisolone shows dramatic response (diagnostic)
SJOGREN’S SYNDROME
What is the pathophysiology of Sjogren’s syndrome?
- Autoimmune lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands (type 4 hypersensitivity reaction) > dry mucosal surfaces
SJOGREN’S SYNDROME
What causes Sjogren’s syndrome?
What is the epidemiology and what are patients with Sjogren’s syndrome at risk of?
- Primary or secondary to RA, SLE or other connective tissue disorders
- Much more common in females
- Increased risk of lymphoid malignancy
SJOGREN’S SYNDROME
What is the clinical presentation of Sjogren’s syndrome?
- Reduced tear secretion (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) = dry, gritty eyes
- Reduced saliva = dry mouth + dysphagia
- Recurrent episodes of parotitis
- Vaginal dryness = dyspareunia