Musculoskeletal Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
Non-inflammatory wear and tear of joints resulting from loss of articular cartilage.
All tissues of the joint are involved.
Articular cartilage is the most affected (produced by chondrocytes).
Who is most commonly affected by osteoarthritis?
Elderly and females.
What reduces the risk of osteoarthritis?
Osteoporosis.
What is the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis?
Imbalance in process of cartilage by wear and production by chondrocytes in favour of cartilage breakdown (chondrocyte ECM breakdown). Faulty cartilage undergoes erosion so disordered repair which causes fibrillations. There is then cartilage ulceration which exposes underlying bone to increased stress and so there are microfractures and cysts. The exposed bone attempts repair and so there is abnormal sclerotic subchondral bone and overgrowth at joint margins. These cartilaginous growths become calcified (osteophytes).
What are the main features of osteoarthritis?
- Loss of cartilage
* Disordered bone repair.
Which cytokines is osteoarthritis driven by?
- IL-1
- TNF-a
- NO.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
- Joint pain on movement (hip is groin pain) and pain at rest in severe OA
- Pain at night
- Crepitus: crunching sensation when moving joint
- Functional impairment in walking and activities of daily living
- Joint stiffness after rest.
What improves the pain in osteoarthritis?
Rest.
Where are the bony swellings in osteoarthritis?
Distal interphalangeal (Heberden’s nodes) and proximal interphalangeal (Bouchard’s nodes).
How long is morning stiffness in osteoarthritis?
< 30 minutes.
What is shown on an X-ray in osteoarthritis?
Remember LOSS: L oss of joint space (narrows) O steophytes S unchondral sclerosis S unchondral cysts.
Which joints does osteoarthritis most commonly affect?
Big weight-bearing joints (knee, hip, vertebra), affects DIP and PIP, first carpometacarpal joints at base of thumb.
What will the bloods show in osteoarthritis?
Normal:
• CRP may be slightly elevated
• Rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies negative.
What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?
Medical (analgesic ladder):
• Topical: NSAIDs, capsaicin
• Oral: paracetamol, NSAIDs with caution (consider PPI for long-term NSAIDs), opioids e.g. dihydrocodeine
• Transdermal patches: buprenorphine, lignocaine
• Intra-articular steroid injections: hyaluronic acid, role remains unclear
• DMARDs have a role in inflammatory OA.
Surgical:
• Osteophyte removal
• Joint replacement/fusion if severe
• Arthroscopy: only for loose bodies. Indicated in uncontrolled pain particularly at night and significant limitation.
• Osteotomy
• Arthroplasty.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Autoimmune inflammation of the synovial joints. Chronic systemic inflammatory disease due to deposition of immune complexes in synovial joints which causes symmetrical, deforming polyarthritis.
What are the antibodies present in rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide.
What is the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis?
Inflammation of synovial lining of joints:
• Synovium thickens and is infiltrated by inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells)
• Generation of new synovial blood vessels induced by angiogenic cytokines and activated endothelial cells produce adhesion molecules which force leukocytes into the synovium and cause inflammation of synovial joints.
Proliferation:
• Tumour like mass “pannus” grows over articular cartilage and damages underlying cartilage by blocking its normal route for nutrition and by direct effects of cytokines on chondrocytes
• Cartilage becomes thin and underlying bone is exposed
• Pannus destroys articular cartilage and subchondral bone which causes bony erosions.
Is the arthritis in rheumatoid symmetrical or asymmetrical?
Symmetrical.
What are the hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis?
Ulnar deviation, swan neck/Z thumb (PIP hyperextension and DIP flexion), Boutonniere deformity (extensor tendon splits so PIP flexion and DIP hyperextension).
How long is the morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis?
> 30 minutes.
What improves the pain in rheumatoid arthritis?
Use.
What are the joints like in rheumatoid arthritis?
Warm, red tender joints.
What joints are affected in rheumatoid arthritis?
Small joints (MCP, PIP, MTP of feet, DIP spared), large joints (as disease progresses, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles).
What are the extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis?
Pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, anaemia and uveitis.
Does osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis respond to NSAIDs?
Rheumatoid.
What diagnostic criteria is required for rheumatoid arthritis?
Need 4/7: • Morning stiffness • Arthritis of 3 or more joints • Arthritis of hand joints • Symmetrical • Rheumatoid nodules • Rheumatoid factor positive • Radiographic changes: LESS.
What are the X-ray changes in rheumatoid arthritis?
Think LESS: L oss of joint space E rosions (peri-articular) S oft tissue swelling S oft bones (osteopenia).
What will show in the bloods in rheumatoid arthritis?
- Rheumatoid factor positive in 70% of patients (non-specific)
- Anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibody) very specific but not routinely performed
- FBC: raised platelets, raised CRP, raised ESR, normochromic, normocytic anaemia.
What is the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
- Initially NSAIDs for symptom relief
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic (DMARDs) suppresses inflammation e.g. methotrexate. Must give folate supplements as methotrexate inhibits folic acid synthesis. CI in pregnancy. Can lead to malignancy, most commonly of the skin. Other examples are hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine
- Biologics: e.g. rituximab, etanercept (TNF-alpha blocker), baricitinib
- Acute exacerbations: steroids e.g. IM methylprednisolone injection
- MDT management : rheumatologist, OT, physiotherapy, GP.
What is osteoporosis?
A systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.
What is osteopenia?
Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis, characterised by low bone density. Defined as bone mineral density 1-2.5 standard deviations below young adult mean value.
How is osteoporosis defined?
More than 2.5 standard deviations below young adults mean value.
What are the types of osteoporosis?
Primary: menopause and age as oestrogen protects bone. HRT after menopause.
Secondary: to disease or drugs.
What are the causes of osteoporosis?
Primary: post-menopausal.
Secondary causes: SHATTERED (increases bone turnover) S teroid use (prednisolone) H yperthyroidism/hyperparathyroidism A lcohol/smoking T hin (low BMI) T estosterone low E arly menopause R enal or liver failure E rosive/inflammatory bone disease e.g. RA, myeloma D ietary calcium low.
Why are women more likely to get osteoporosis?
Women lose trabeculae with age whereas in men there is reduced formation but trabeculae numbers are more stable.
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
Patient: old, female, low BMI, alcohol and smoking, calcium deficient.
Disease: joint disease, hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism, high cortisol, low oestrogen, renal disease and Vitamin D.
Medication: corticosteroids, hormonal.
What is the pathophysiology of osteoporosis?
Increased resorption by osteoclasts and decreased formation by osteoblasts. Inadequate peak bone mass. Changes in trabecular structure with ageing so decrease in trabecular thickness and decrease in connections between horizontal trabeculae which means decrease in trabeculae strength and increased susceptibility to fracture.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Asymptomatic until fracture (only cause):
• Hip: neck of femur after elderly individual falls on side or back
• Wrist: distal radius is Colle’s/Smith’s fracture after following on outstretched arm
• Vertebra: shorter and stooping posture. Sudden onset of severe pain in spine, often radiating to front. Thoracic vertebral fractures may lead to kyphosis
• Fragility fractures.
What are the investigations for osteoporosis?
- DEXA BMD (dual energy X-ray and absorptiometry): T score is a standard deviation score. Less than -2.5 is osteoporosis, between -1 and -2.5 is osteopenia and more than -1 is normal
- X-ray
- FRAX (fracture assessment tool): age, sex, BMI, previous fractures, steroids
- FBC: normal calcium phosphate and alkaline phosphate.
What is the first line management for osteoporosis?
First line treatment for osteoporosis is Alendronic acid (oral bisphosphonate) and AdCal (vit D and calcium supplement). They inhibit bone resorption through the inhibition of Farensyl Pyrophosphate synthase in the cholesterol pathway which reduces osteoclast activity by removing their ruffled border.
Second line: is the introduction of Denosumab (monoclonal antibody to RANK ligand). This inhibits osteoclast activity and bone resorption.
What is primary prevention for osteoporosis?
- Adcal D3: vitamin D + calcium
- Calcium-rich diet e.g. dairy or sardines, white beans
- HRT: menopausal women
- Corticosteroids: consider prophylactic bisphosphonates
- Regular weight bearing exercise
- Smoking and alcohol cessation
- DEXA scans.
What is SLE?
Autoimmune disease is a pathological condition causes by an immune response directed against an antigen within the host i.e. a self-antigen. Heterogenous. Anti-nuclear antibodies.
Who is more commonly affected by SLE?
Females.
Peak age of onset is 20-40.
What conditions is SLE associated with?
Anti-phospholipid and Raynaud’s.
What causes the onset of a rash in SLE?
UV light.
What is the pathophysiology of SLE?
A multisystemic autoimmune inflammatory disease in which autoantibodies produced by B cells target a variety of autoantigens leading to the formation of immune complexes at various sites. This activates the complement system and causes an influx of neutrophils which causes inflammation in those types (type III hypersensitivity).
What are the symptoms of SLE?
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Myalgia and arthralgia (symmetrical joint and muscle pain) (90%)
- Skin problems (85%), butterfly rash
- Lymphadenopathy
- Weight loss.
What are the signs of SLE?
Haematological: • Anaemia (haemolytic, Coombs positive) • Thrombocytopenia • Neutropenia • Lymphopenia.
What is the diagnostic criteria for SLE?
Diagnosis must have 4/11: remember MD SOAP BRAIN
M alar rash: butterfly rash on face
D iscoid rash
S erositis: pleuritis, pericarditis
O ral ulcers in mouth
A rthritis similar to RA
P hotosensitivity (rashes on sun exposed area)
B lood (haematological) disorder where all low so anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
R enal disease proteinuria (glomerulonephritis)
A nti-nuclear antibody positive
I mmunological disorder anti dsDNA
N eurological disorder with seizures, cerebrovascular disease, myasthenia gravis.
What are the autoantibodies in SLE?
Autonantibodies:
• Anti-nuclear antibody: sensitive but not specific so screening test
• Double stranded DNA antibody: specific but not sensitive
• Other antibodies: RF, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, anti-RO/lupus antibody/SM/RNP.
What are the inflammatory markers like in SLE?
- Raised ESR
* CRP may be normal.
What happens to the complement in SLE?
Decreased C3 and C4.
What is the management for SLE?
Avoid triggers: UV protection.
Lifestyle: smoking cessation and weight loss.
Topical: sun cream and steroids.
Immunosuppressives for severe: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, ciclosporin, azathioprine, mycophenolate.
NSAIDs and corticosteroid for arthraldgi.
Anti-malarial (hydroxychloroquine) and/or steroids (prednisolone).
Anticoagulants.
Biological: rituximab (anti-CD20).
Plasmapheresis.
What clinical features do seronegative spondyloarthropathies share?
- Axial inflammation: spine and sacroiliac joints
- Asymmetrical peripheral arthritis
- Absence of RF hence “seronegative”
- Strong association with HLA-B27.
What is the pathophysiology of seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
Infection causes an immune response and infectious agent has peptides very similar to HLA B27 molecule so an auto-immune response is triggered against HLA B27. Mis-folding theory and HLA B27 heavy chain homodimer hypothesis.
What are the symptoms of seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
Remember SPINEACHE: S ausage digit (dactylitis): inflammation of tendon sheaths and joints in fingers P soriasis I nflammatory back pain N SAID good response E nthesitis (heel) A rthritis C rohn’s/colitis/elevated CRP but CRP can be normal H LA B27 E ye (uveitis).
When should you think of seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
- Inflammatory back pain
- Asymmetrical large joint arthritis
- Skin psoriasis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Inflammatory eye disease.
What are the 5 main traits of seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
- Predilection for axial inflammation
- Asymmetrical peripheral arthritis
- Absence of rheumatoid factor
- Inflammation of the enthesis
- Strong association with HLA-B27.
When does ankylosing spondylitis present?
- Typically starts in late teens/early 20s
* More common and severe in males.
What is the cause of ankylosing spondylitis?
Unknown, thought to involve CD8 T cells.
What is the pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis?
Inflammation destroys the intervertebral joints, facet joints and sacroiliac joints. Fibroblasts replace the destroyed joints with fibrin which causes formation of tough fibrin band around joints which limits range of motion. Ossification occurs (fibrous tissue turns to bone) and makes spine immobile. Syndesmophytes are new bone formation and vertical growth from anterior vertebral corners.
What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Buttock/thigh pain (sacroiliac joints) which improves with exercise
- Neck or back pain/stiffness (cervical/thoracic region) which can lead to SOB.
What is the typical presentation of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Young 20-30
- Female
- Seronegative spondyloarthropathy
- Spine: sacroiliitis and spondylitis
- Slow onset of morning back stiffness >30 minutes. Reduced range of movement. ‘Question mark pose’ (loss lumbar lordosis, buttock atrophy, exaggerates thoracic kyphosis)
- Extra-articular: uveitis
- X-ray syndesmophytes fusing to become ‘bamboo spine’.
What does an X-ray show with ankylosing spondylitis?
- Sacroiliitis is the first sign on X-ray
- Enthesitis
- Syndesmophytes fusing to make bamboo spine
- Dagger sign.
What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?
Remember SPINEACHE: S ausage digit (dactylitis): inflammation of tendon sheaths and joints in fingers P soriasis I nflammatory back pain N SAID good response E nthesitis (heel) A rthritis C rohn’s/colitis/elevated CRP but CRP can be normal H LA B27 E ye (uveitis).
Slow onset morning stiffness >30 minutes.
What is the final stage of ankylosing spondylitis?
Severe kyphosis of thoracic and cervical spine. Patient is fused in this position and cannot move. Cannot look up and see the sun.
What are the signs of ankylosing spondylitis?
Remember prism: P ain R ashes and skin changes I mmune: SLE, Sjoegren’s, CREST S wellings M alignancy: bone pain, systemic S ome other: dry eyes, dry mouth, sexual history or GI infections (reactive arthritis).
What do bloods show in ankylosing spondylitis?
- HLA-B27 positive
- Raised CRP/ESR
- Normocytic anaemia
- Decreased haemoglobin
- Raised ALP.
What is the management of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Physio and hydrotherapy
- Long-term high dose NSAIDs e.g. ibuprofen or naproxen. Risk of peptic ulcer, vascular disease, renal damage etc.
- DMARDs: e.g. methotrexate. Treat peripheral arthritis but not the disease
- Biologics: specifically anti-TNFs e.g. etancercept, adalimumab. Stop syndesmophytes forming as once formed nothing can stop or reverse the process
- Surgery: can correct spinal deformities to repair damage. Possible replacement.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Autoimmune arthritis characterised by red scaly patches. Ranges from mildy synovitis to severe progressive erosive arthropathy.
What are the five patterns of disease in psoriatic arthritis?
- Oligoarthritis: very mild, asymmetrical and affects <5 joints
- Polyarticular/Rheumatoid pattern: resembles RA, symmetrical and >5 joints
- Spondyloarthritis: asymmetrical, typically involves spine and sacroiliac joint (fusion)
- Distal Interphalangeal predominant: affects DIP joint and can cause dactylitis (sausage digits) and nail abnormalities (onycholysis, hyperkeratosis, nail pitting)
- Arthritis mutilans: causes periarticular osteolysis (bone resorption) and bone shortening. Destruction of small bones in hands and feet. Pencil in cup x-ray changes.
What are the skin signs in psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic plaques on scalp, trunk and extensor surfaces of limbs:
• Salmon pink colour with silver surface scale
• Symmetrical distribution
• Itchy
• Hidden areas e.g. in and behind ears, nails and natal cleft.
What do the bloods in psoriatic arthritis look like?
- HLA-B27 positive
- Raised ESR
- RF and anti-CCP absent
What does an X-ray show in psoriatic arthritis?
Erosive changes (pencil in cup deformity), erosions are central in joint and not juxta-articular.
What is the management of psoriatic arthritis?
- NSAIDs
- Early intervention with DMARDs e.g. methotrexate, leflunomide, ciclosporin, sulfasalazine. DMARDs often help disease.
- Anti TNF drugs (biologics) e.g. etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab
- IL 12/23 blockers: ustekinumab
- Exercise
- Surgery: repair damage hip and knee (rare as risky).
What is reactive arthritis?
Sterile inflammation of synovial membranes, tendons and fascia following infection, typically STIs or GI infections.
What are the 2 causes of reactive arthritis?
- GI infection e.g. shigella, salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter, Yersinia (all gram-negative) causes post-enteric
- STI e.g. chlamydia, gonorrhoea causes post-veneral.
What syndrome is associated with reactive arthritis?
Reiter’s syndrome/triad:
• Can’t see: conjunctivitis
• Can’t pee: urethritis, circinate balanitis (painless superficial ulceration of glans penis)
• Can’t climb a tree: oligoarthritis, <6 joints.
How many joints are usually involved in reactive arthritis?
One large joint e.g. knee.
What are the psoriatic like skin lesions in reactive arthritis?
- Keratoderma Blenorrhagica: skin rash on feet
- Circinate balanitis: uncircumcised (painless superficial ulceration of glans), circumcised (raised, red and scaly lesions).
What do the bloods show in reactive arthritis?
HLA-B27 positive and raised ESR and CRP.
What would a joint aspiration show in reactive arthritis?
High neutrophil count. Should be sterile. If not, it is septic arthritis.
What does an X-ray show in reactive arthritis?
Enthesitis e.g. achilles, sacroiliitis.
What is the management for reactive arthritis?
Treat cause of infection with antibiotics.
NSAIDs +/- steroid joint infections. Consider use of methotrexate and sulfasalazine as steroid sparing agents if >6 months.
What is gout?
Inflammatory arthritis associated with hyperuricaemia (high levels of uric acid) and intra-articular monosodium urate crystals deposited in joints.
What are the risk factors for gout?
- High alcohol intake: highest risk beer>spirits>wine
- Purine rich foods: red meat e.g. liver and seafood
- High fructose intake e.g. sugary drinks, cakes, sweets, fruit sugars
- Family history
- High uric acid levels: age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, IHD and HTN.
What are the symptoms of gout?
Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.
Sudden onset of agonising pain, swelling, tenderness and redness (typically in 1st metatarsophalangeal joint of big toe), “toe on fire”.
What is the typical presentation of gout?
- Obese man with toe pain
- Crystal induced arthropathy: monosodium urate crystals
- First MTP onset 24 hours, resolution in 14 days
- Tophi, asymmetrical, chalky appearance, firm nodules
- Raised serum urate level >4 weeks after episode
- Joint aspiration: negatively birefringent in polarising light
- Treatment is NSAID/colchicine
- Prophylaxis is allopurinol.
What crystals are involved in gout?
Sodium urate.
What are the white deposits in skin around joints called in gout?
Tophi.
What is shown in polarised light microscopy in gout?
Negatively birefringent needle-shaped monosodium crystals.
What is shown in bloods in gout?
Raised serum urate.
What investigation should always be performed on a red, hot joint.
Joint aspiration to rule out septic arthritis.
What is prophylaxis for gout?
Allopurinol. (Xanthine oxidase inhibitor) or febuxostat if CI. Do not use allopurinol during an acute attack.
What is the first line treatment in gout?
NSAIDs e.g. naproxen, ibuprofen.
What is the second line treatment in gout?
Colchicine (if NSAIDs contraindicated i.e. peptic ulcer, diabetes, renal disease). Inhibits WBC migration.
What is the treatment for gout?
First-line: NSAIDs e.g. naproxen, ibuprofen.
Second line: colchicine (if NSAIDs contraindicated i.e. peptic ulcer, diabetes, renal disease). Inhibits WBC migration.
Steroids (prednisolone): most effective but can be painful.
Cover with colchicine 500ug daily or twice daily for 6 months, or NSAID for 6 weeks otherwise you may induce a gouty flare.
What is the crystal involved in gout?
Deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in joints.
Who does pseudo gout typically affect?
- Predominantly disease of the elderly (70+), typically older females
- Overlaps with OA.
What is the typical distribution of psuedogout?
Usually affects larger joints, knee> wrist> shoulder > ankle> elbow.
What is the radiological appearance of pseudo gout?
Chondrocalcinosis (linear calcification parallel to the articular surfaces).
What is the typical presentation of psuedogout?
- Female/male with knee pain
- Crystal induced arthropathy: calcium pyrophosphate
- Often asymptomatic, mono or oligoarticular
- Knee (but any joint can be affected)
- XR chondrocalcinosis. Weakly positive birefringent in polarizing light.
What is shown on polarising light in pseudo gout?
Positively bifringent rhomboid shaped calcium pyrophosphate crystals.
What do bloods show pseudogout?
Raised WBCs.
What is the acute management for pseudogout?
- First line: NSAIDs
- Second line: colchicine
- Analgesia
- Aspiration, steroid injection
- Physiotherapy
- Rest and icepacks.
What is the long term management for pseudo gout?
- If continues inflammatory changes, trial of anti-rheumatic treatment e.g. methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine
- Synovectomy in troublesome disease
- Surgery.
What is the most common cause of septic arthritis?
S.Aureus.
What are the causes of septic arthritis?
• S. Aureus: most common
• N. gonorrhoea: young, sexually active
• Staph. Epidermidis: if joint replacement
• E. Coli/Klebsiella: if immunocompromised
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
H. influenzae now a rare cause for joint infection in infants due to the standard childhood immunisation schedule in the UK.