Musculoskeletal Flashcards
What are the differential diagnoses for a stiff neck?
-Muscular Strain
-Cervical Spondylosis/ Arthritis
-Herniated Disc
-Meningitis
-Torticollis
What is the presentation of a neck muscle strain?
- Pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders - Limited range of motion - Tenderness when touched - Gradual onset
What are the risk factors for Muscle strain?
-Overexertion - Poor posture - Muscle imbalances - Repetitive motion - Injury
What is the pathophysiology of a neck muscle strain?
Overstretching or tearing of neck muscles
What is the treatment for a severe muscle strain?
Analgesia (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
+Ice pack
What is the presentation for Cervical Spondylosis?
- Stiffness - Pain, especially with movement - Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands - Weakness in the arms
What are the risk factors for Cervical Spondylosis?
- Aging - Genetics - Past neck injuries - Smoking - Sedentary lifestyle
What is duration onset of symptoms for Cervical Spondylosis?
Insidious onset with symptoms gradually worsening over time
What is the pathophysiology for Cervical Spondylosis?
Degeneration of the spinal discs and joints from ageing or just repetative movements.
What is are the investigations for suspected Cervical Spondylosis?
Imaging - Xray, CT,
Electromyography
What is a common complication of Cervical Spondylitis or a Herniated Disc of the neck?
Cervical Radiculopathy
-nerve compression
What age is Cervical Radiuculopathy most prevalent in?
50s
What are Radicular symptoms?
-Burning / stinging pain
-Radiation of pain to leg
-Numbness and tingling
-Muscle weakness (severe cases)
A patient with a history of Cervical Spondylitis has presented with new symptoms of numbness and burning pain radiating down the leg. What could this be?
Cervical Radiculopathy
(description of radicular symptoms with the fact that it can be caused by cervical spondylitis, and herniated disc)
What is the presentation of Herniated Disc?
- Neck pain - Radiating pain into the arms or shoulders - Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands - Weakness
What are the risk factors of a Herniated Disk?
- Aging - Genetics - Past neck injuries - Heavy lifting - Repetitive motion
What is the duration of onset for a Herniated Disk?
Sudden or Gradual
What is the pathophysiology of a Herniated Disk?
Rupture of the intervertebral disc
What is the treatment for a Herniated Disk?
-Conservative ( rest, therapy, analgesia etc )
-Epidural Injections
-Surgery in severe cases
What is the presentation of Meningitis?
- Severe neck pain - Stiff neck - High fever - Headache - Nausea - Vomiting - Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
What are the risk factors for Meningitis?
- Weakened immune system - Close contact with infected individuals
What is the onset duration of Meningitis?
Sudden
What is the pathophysiology?
Inflammation of the meninges (protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord)
What investigations are required for suspected Meningitis?
-Lumbar puncture (CSF fluid analysis)
-Blood tests
-CT and MRI
What is the management for Meningitis?
–>Hospitilisation
-Ceftriaxone (antibiotic)
What is another name for Cervical Spondylosis?
Cervical Arthritis
What is the presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
-Joint pain and stiffness, typically affecting multiple joints, often in a symmetrical pattern.
-Swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joints.
Morning stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes.
Fatigue and general malaise.
Loss of joint function and deformities over time.
Rheumatoid nodules, subcutaneous lumps, often near affected joints.
Systemic symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and dry eyes and mouth in some cases.
What are the risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
-Genetic factors: Individuals with a family history of RA are at higher risk.
-Gender: Women are more susceptible to RA than men.
-Age: Although RA can develop at any age, it most commonly starts between the ages of 30 and 60.
-Environmental factors: -Smoking and exposure to certain infections can increase the risk.
What is the onset duration for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Variable, but it typically develops insidiously and progresses gradually.
Describe the pathophysiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Autoimmune condition causing an attack of the synovial membrane resulting in inflammation and:
-formation of abnormal tissue that invades joint structures
-Cartilage, bone and ligament destruction
What substances(hormones, factors etc) particular would you expect to be present in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
-Rheumatoid Factor
-Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP)
What investigations are to be done for a suspected Rheumatoid Arthritis and what results would you expcet?
-Blood tests
=Rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, antibodies ESR and CRP
-Imaging : e.g Xray / MRI
-Synovial fluid analysis
=inflammatory changes in joint fluid
What is ESR an indicator for?
Inflammation
What is the treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
1.Methotrexate
(Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug to slow down progression)
2.NSAIDs
3.Corticosteroids
4.Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) Inhibitors (reduce inflammation)
5.Supportive (physical therapy, lifestyle modifications)
What is the presentation of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Paint- LadyBirds Humming Keane Songs, Every Fun Friday
-Pain:
-Lower Back pain and stiffness (early - in the morning)
-Peripheral joint involvement (pain and swelling other joints e.g Hips, Knees and Shoulders)
-Enthesitis (inflammation of the attachment between tendons and ligaments - pain in heel / bottom of foot)
-Fatigue
-Reduced spinal Flexibility (bending / twisting)
What is Enthesitis?
Inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bones, causing pain and swelling in areas such as the heels or the bottom of the foot.
Note: Can be due to Ankylosing Spondylitis
What gene is strongly associated with the development of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
HLA-B27
When does Ankylosing Spondylitis typically present?
Late adolescence / Early adulthood
What group of people are more likely to get Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Males
What joints are primarily affected in Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Spine and Sacroiliac joints
What is the pathophysiology Ankylosing Spondylitis?
-Idiopathic cause but strong susceptibility linked to HLA-B27 gene
-Chronic inflammatory disorder
-causing inflammation of the sacroiliac joints
-which leads to the formation of new bone (Syndesmophytes)
-and ultimately the fusion of adjacent vertebrae in the spine.
What are the key investigations to be done for suspected Ankylosing Spondylitis?
-Imaging (Xray, CT, MRI)
-Bloods
=presence of gene (HLA-B27) and inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP)
-Genetic testing
HLA-B27
What is the management for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
-NSAIDs (first line for pain and inflammation)
-Sulfasalazine (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug)
-TNF inhibitor (to reduce inflammation)
Note: SIMILAR treatment to RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the pathophysiology of Fibromyalgia?
Idiopathic, causing CENTRAL SENSITISATION DISORDER
-due to abnormal processing of pain signals from the CNS and therefore there is AMPLIFICATION OF PAIN PERCEPTION
=dysregulation of seretonin and norepinephrine
-stress and trauma can trigger it (both physical and mental)
What is the diagnostic gold standard for Fibromyalgia?
There isn’t one! It is a diagnosis of exclusion and therefore there is no clinical criteria for diagnosing.
What is the presentation of Fibromyalgia?
-Widespread MSK pain
(=constant full ache that affects both sides of the body and present for at least 3mnths)
-Tender joints (when force applied)
-Fatigue
-Sleep disturbances
-Cognitive Symptoms (‘Fibro Fog’ - difficulty with concentration, memory and cognitive function)
-Other symptoms:
-Headaches
-IBS
Irritable bladder
-Anxiety
-Depression
When is the typical age and gender of onset for Fibromyalgia?
Middle age, Female
List the risk factors for Fibromyalgia?
-Family history of Fibromyalgia
-Other rheumatic conditions (e.g Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus)
Describe the duration time of onset for Fibromyalgia?
Insidious gradually worsening symptoms
What is the treatment for Fibromyalgia?
Pain:
=Analgesics, NSAIDs, Opioids
Depression:
=Anti-depressants - Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (e.g Duloxetine, Milnacipran and Venlafaxine)
Sleep:
=Anti-convulsants (e.g Pregabalin and Gabapentin)
Therapies–>
-Physical
-CBT
-Supportive
Who is more likely to be affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Women
What is another name for Herniated disc?
-Slipped Disc or Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc
What are the common symptoms of a slipped disc?
-Pain at site (usually back or neck) and aggravated by movement
-Nerve compression
=Numbness, Tingling, Weakness in ARMS AND LEGS
-Reduced or absent reflexes in affected areas
When would a slipped disc cause sciatica?
If it is a lumbar disc
What is a Vertebral Compression Fracture?
Vertebral collapse due osteoporosis
=Weakened vertebrae cannot withstand the weight and result in a collapse which causes pain and deformity
What is the presentation of Vertebral Compression Fracture?
Bulky Loads Kill Health
-Back pain (sudden or gradual)
-Limited mobility
-Kyphosis (abnormal curvature of the spine)
-Height loss
What group of peope are most susceptible to Vertebral Compression Fractures?
Women particularly after menopause
What medications could potentially cause weakening of bones and therefore lead to complications such as Osteoporosis?
-PPIs
-SSRIs (sertraline)
-Glitazones (Type 2 diabetic medication e.g Pioglitazone)
-Anti-convulsants
-Glucocorticoids (e.g Prednisolone)
-Antiepileptic medications (e.g Phenytoin, Carbamazepine)
What is the difference between Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia?
1.Polymyalgia is an inflammation of the muscles, while fibromyalgia is due to the central nervous system incorrectly processing sensory information.
2.Fibromyalgia can occur at ANY age while Polymyalgia mainly occurs after 50yrs.
3.Polymyalgia usually resolves within 2 yrs while Fibromyalgia lasts a lifetime
What pre-existing medical conditions can increase the risk of Osteoporosis?
-Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Hyperthyroidism
What investigations can identify Oesteoporosis?
-Xrays
=vertebral fractures (if Vertebral collapse as a result)
-DXA scan (measure bone mineral density)
=which would be low
What is Psoriatic Arthropathy?
Inflammatory arthritis associated with Psoriasis.
Describe the presentation of Psoriatic Arthropathy.
-Joint pain, swelling and stiffness (worse in the mornings)
–>affects fingers and toes especially
-Psoriasis (red and scaly skin)
-Enthesitis
-Dactylitis
-Thickening of nails
-Back pain (can develop spondylitis)
-Uveitis (rare)
What are the risk factors of Psoriatic Arthropathy?
-Psoriasis
-Family history
-HLA-B27 gene(autoimmune gene marker - specifically for Ankylosing Spondylitis)
When is the typical onset of Psoriatic Arthropathy?
30-50yrs
What investigations are required for diagnosing Psoriatic Arthropathy?
Bloods :
Inflammation:
-ESR and CRP
-Autoantibodies
- Imaging : Xray , MRI
-Joint Aspiration (synovial fluid) to rule out other differentials
What is the management for Psoriatic Arthropathy
-NSAIDs
-Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Leflunomide (slow progression)
-TNF inhibitors
-Rheumatology and Dermatology referral
Note: Similar to Rheumatoid arthritis
What is a key complication of Psoriatic Arthropathy?
Spondylosis
a painful condition of the spine resulting from the degeneration of the intervertebral discs.
What is Dactylitis?
Swelling of an entire digit (fingers or toes)