MuscleSkeleton and roomatology 2 Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
Non-inflammatory wear and tear of joints resulting from loss of cartilage
Describe the epidemiology of osteoarthritis
- Most common type of arthritis- More common in females- More common in elderly
What are 6 risk factors for osteoarthritis?
- Obesity2. Age3. Female4. Family history5. Trauma6. Occupations associated with manual labour
Describe the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis
- Imbalance between cartilage being worn down and the chondrocytes replacing it- Usually occurs in larger, weight-bearing synovial joints e.g. hips and knees
What are 3 common symptoms of osteoarthritis?
- Joint pain exacerbated by exercise2. Joint stiffness after rest (transient in morning)3. Reduced functionality (limited joint movement)
What are 2 additional symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Bone swellings in fingers:- Herberden’s node (in distal interphalangeal joints)- Bouchard’s node (in proximal interphalangeal joints)
What is the investigation for patients with osteoarthritis and the 4 most common findings?
X ray (LOSS):- L - loss of joint space- O - osteophytes formation- S - subchondral sclerosis (increased density of bone along joint)- S - subchondral cysts (fluid-filled holes in bone)
What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?
- Pain relief (start with paracetamol and work up analgesics ladder)- Cortisol injections- Physiotherapy- Weight loss- Joint replacement (must lose weight)
What is the difference between pain in patients with osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis - worse during/after exerciseRheumatoid arthritis - better during/after exercise
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Autoimmune inflammation of synovial joints - symmetrical polyarthritis
Describe the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis
- More common in females (3:1)- Most often develops younger/middle age
What are 4 risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?
- Genetics - HLA DR4 gene (often present in RF positive patients)2. Genetics - HLA DR1 (often present in RA patients)3. Rheumatoid factor (RF)4. Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP)
What does rheumatoid factor (RF) do?
Autoantibody that targets Fc portion of IgG antibody, triggering activation of the immune system
Describe the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis
- Autoimmune destruction of synovium - Inflammation causes damage to bone cartilage, tendons and ligaments- Most common joints affected are PIP joints and MCP joints (HARDLY EVER DIP JOINTS - if these are affected, it is usually always osteoarthritis)
What are 5 signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
- ‘Boggy’ feeling when palpating synovium around joints2. Z-shaped deformity of thumb3. Swan neck deformity (hyperextended PIP with flexed DIP)4. Boutonnieres deformity (hyperextended DIP with flexed PIP)5. Ulnar deviation of fingers at knuckle
What are 5 symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Joint pain/swelling/stiffness (pain worse after rest/in the mornings and improves with activity)2. Fatigue3. Weight loss4. Flu-like illness5. Muscle aches/weakness
What is palindromic rheumatism?
- Self-limiting short episodes of inflammatory arthritis with joint pain/stiffness/swelling- Lasts 1-2 days and then completely resolves itself- May progress to full RA (greater risk if have RF and anti-CCP antibodies)
What are 2 investigations for patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
- X-ray2. Bloods
What does an x-ray show in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
LOSE:
- L - lost joint space
- O - osteopenia (reduced bone density)
- S - soft tissue swelling
- E - erosion
What do bloods show in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
- Anti-CCP antibodies (more sensitive and specific than RF)- RF- Raised ESR/CRP
What is the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
- Physiotherapy- Ibuprofen/NSAIDs- Steroids- Methotrexate- Rituximab (if others not working)
What are 3 complications of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Atlantoaxial subluxation –> cervical spinal cord compression2. Inflammation of tendons increases risk of tendon rupture3. Lung involvement e.g. interstitial lung disease, fibrosis etc.
Describe atlantoaxial subluxation
- Local synovitis and damage to ligaments and bursa around odontoid peg of axis (C2) and atlas (C1)- This causes the axis (C2) and odontoid peg to shift within the atlas (C1)- Subluxation causes cervical spinal cord compression (weakness/loss of sensation) and is an EMERGENCY
What must be excluded when investigating patients with gout/pseudogout?
Septic arthritis (life threatening - medical emergency)