Multisystem Flashcards
What are the common areas affected in RA and common deformities/issues it can cause at each joint?
C-spine - weaken or rupture transverse ligament
Shoulder - sublux/dislocations, RC or biceps tendinitis or rupture
Elbow - RA nodules, flexion contracture, ulnar nerve entrapment
Wrist - dorsal subluxation of distal ulna, extensor tendon ruptures, ulnar drift, carpal tunnel
MCP/PIP - z-deformity of thumb, swan neck, boutonniere
Knee - valgus, Baker’s cyst, flexion contracture
Ankle and foot - hindfoot valgus, forefoot planus, tarsal tunnel
MTP - hallux valgus, MTP subluxations and metatarsalgia
Toe - claw toe, hammer toe, mallet toe
What are the criteria to diagnose RA?
4/7:
- symmetrical arthritis
- morning stiffness > 1 hour
- at least 3 joints swollen simultaneous
- one of the joints must be wrist, MCP or PIP
- RA nodules
- Rheumatoid factor (RF)
- X ray shows erosions and bony decalcification
What are special questions to ask during a subjective ax of RA?
Neck problems (5Ds, 3Ns, facial parasthesia or quadrilateral parasthesia)
Hot swollen joints
Focal vs diffuse weakness
Burning sensation, numbness or parasthesia
History of trauma
What are the 4 components of the Standard Assessment of Joint Inflammation? What are the indications of a damaged joint?
Lab result: RF
Duration of morning stiffness
Bilateral grip strength
Active joint count - effusion, joint line tenderness, stress pain
Damaged joint = subluxation/deformity, crepitus, PROM loss of > 20%, ligament laxity
TMJ Joint Count
Effusion - finger tips in hollow area ant to ext auditory meatus, hollow will fill when opens mouth if effusion present
Joint line tenderness - pressure to joint line with tips of fingers
Stress pain - open mouth as much as possible
SC Joint Count
Effusion - palpate lateral to sternum using thumbs
Joint line tenderness - AP pressure over joint line
Stress pain - unreliable
AC Joint Count
Effusion - difficult to assess
Joint line tenderness - AP pressure over joint line
Stress pain - horizontal adduction or shoulder shrug
GH Joint Count
Effusion - palpated over ant joint line/bicipital tendon area
Joint line tenderness - unreliable
Stress pain - shoulder in 60° abd and IR/ER with OP
Elbow Joint Count
Effusion - elbow in 90° flex and palpate both sides of olecranon with thumbs or bulge sign present at prox radius when moving from 45° flex to full ext
Joint line tenderness - elbow at 45° flex, pressure on either side of olecranon
Stress pain - full passive flex/ext and OP
Wrist Joint Count
Effusion - wrist in neutral, feel over radiocarpal joint or distal ulnar using 2 thumb method
Joint line tenderness - wrist in neutral, pressure over dorsal radiocarpal joint
Stress pain - full passive flex/ext and OP
CMC of thumb Joint Count
Effusion - difficult to ax
Joint line tenderness - pressure over CMC joint line
Stress pain - unreliable
MCP Joint Count
Effusion - slightly flexed with 2 thumb technique
Joint line tenderness - same position and apply pressure with both thumbs
Stress pain - full ext and OP
PIP Joint Count
Effusion - 4 finger technique (press AP and feel for fluid in ML)
Joint line tenderness - pressure ant to collateral ligaments
Stress pain - full flex/ext and OP
DIP Joint Count
Effusion - 4 finger technique
Joint line tenderness - pressure ant to collaterals
Stress pain - full flex/ext and OP
Hip Joint Count
Effusion - unreliable
Joint line tenderness - unreliable
Stress pain - supine with hips and knees to 90, IR/ER and OP