Musculoskeletal Flashcards
What blood test must be carried out before starting azathioprine?
check thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency (TPMT)
What is ankylosing spondylitis and list sx?
a HLAB27 associated spondylarthropathy
sx- Morning pain and stiffness of back and hip that improves with activity
List 3 examination fidings of ank spon?
Reduced chest expansion
Reduced forward flexion
Reduced lateral flexion
What are sx and mx of achilles tendonitis?
sx- Gradual onset of posterior heel pain (worse after activity), morning pain and stiffness is common
mx- simple analgisia, physio
What is the ix of choice in achilles tendon rupture?
USS
List 3 indications for methotrexate?
Inflammatory Arthritis
Psoriasis
Chemo–>ALL
List the cautions of methotrexate use in preganancy?
Women should stop 6 months prior to pregnancy
Men should use effective contraception for 6 months after tx
What other medication must be co-prescribed with methotrexate?
Folic acid (should be taken 24 hours apart)- reduces the risk of myelosuppression
What abx should be avoided when using methotrexate and why?
Trimethoprim, and co-trimoxazole- increases risk of marrow aplasia
What is the tx for methotrexate toxicity?
Folinic Acid
What is osteomalacia?
Softeneing of bones secondary to vit D deficiency.
List sx of OM?
Bone pain
Bone/muscle tenderness
Fracture (*NOF)
Proximal myopathy- ‘waddling gait’
List the bone profile in a patient with OM?
Low Vit D, Calcium, Phosphate
High ALP
High PTH
What is systemic sclerosis?
Condition of unknown aetiology characterised by hardened sclerotic skin and CT
What is limited cutatenous systemic sclerosis and list its features?
a subtype of systemic sclerosis which predominantly affects face and distal limbs.
What is often the first sign of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis?
Raynauds Phenomenon
What is the antibody associated with Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis?
Anti centromere antibodies
What antibody is associated with diffuse cutaneous sclerosis?
anti SCL-70
What is diffuse cutaneous sclerosis and list its features?
A subtype of systemic sclerosis which predominantly affects the trunk and proximal limbs. Carries a worse prognosis
What is CREST syndrome?
a subtype of limited cutaneous sclerosis.
Calcinosis
Raynauds
oEsophageal dysmotility
Sclerodactyly
Telangiecstasia
What is dermatomyositis?
an inflammatory disorder causing symmetrical, proximal muscle weakness and characteristic skin lesions
*polymyositis is a variant of the disease where skin manifestations are not prominent
List the features of dermatomyosistis?
Skin manifestations
Photosensitive malar rash
macular rash over back and shoulders
Heliotrope rash in periorbital region
Grottons papules- roughened red papules over extensor surfaces of fingers
other features:
Proxiaml muscle weakness
Raynauds
Resp muscle weakness
ILD
Dysphagia
What antibodies are present in dermatomyositis?
anti-Mi-2 antibodies
anti jo-1 antibodies
antibodies to signal recognition particle (SRP)
What are the features of antiphospholipid syndrome?
Venous/arterial thrombosis
Recurrent miscarriages
Livedo reticularis
Pre-eclamsia, Pulmonary HTN
What is the results of a joint aspiration in pseudogout?
Positively birefringent rhomboid-shaped crystals
What antibodies are highly specific for SLE?
anti-dsDNA
anti smith
how can pseudogout and gout be distinguished on x-ray?
chondrocalcinosis, the finding of calcification of the articular cartilage. Although not specific, this is suggestive of pseudogout.
What is Marfan’s syndrome?
an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder. It is caused by a defect in the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15 that codes for the protein fibrillin-1.
State 5 features of Marfan’s?
Pectus excavatum
Tall stature
High arched palate
Pes planus
Scoliosis
heart (aortic regurg, aortic dissection, dialtion of aortic sinuses, mitral valve prolapse)
repeated pneumothoraces
eyes (blue sclera, upwards lens dislocation, myopia)
Where is the most common site where osteomyelitis occurs in children?
long bone is the metaphysis
what is the investigation of choice in osteomyelitis?
MRI
What is the most common reason for a THR revsion?
Aseptic loosening
What antibodies are present in anti-phospholipid syndrome?
anticardiolipin antibodies
anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (anti-beta2GPI) antibodies
lupus anticoagulant
What is de-quervin’s tenosynovitis?
A common condition in which the sheath containing the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons is inflamed.
List the 4 common features/sx of de-quervain’s tenosynovitis?
pain on the radial side of the wrist
tenderness over the radial styloid process
abduction of the thumb against resistance is painful
pain over radial styloid process when thumb in ulnar deviation
What is the mx of de-quervain’s tenosynovitis?
analgesia
steroid injection
immobilisation with a thumb splint (spica) may be effective
surgical treatment is sometimes required
What are the x-ray findings of ank-spon?
Subchondral erosions
Subchondral sclerosis
Squaring of lumbar vertebrae (bamboo spine)
What are the x-ray findings of OA?
Loss of joint space
Osteophytes
Subchondral cysts
Subchondral sclerosis
What are the x-ray findings of RA?
Loss of joint space
Periarticular erosisons
Soft tissue swelling
Subluxation
What are the x-ray findings of gout?
Soft tissue swelling
Punched out bone lesions
Overhanging scelrotic margins
What are the common joints in the hands are affecetd by OA?
Carpometacarpal Joints
DIPJ>PIPJ
Squaring of thumb
In cauda equina what late sign would indicate irreversible damage?
Urinary incontinence
What T score indictaes osteoporosis?
T-score of < -2.5 confirms a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
What is the most common cause of discitis?
Staph aureus
What is discitis?
an infection in the intervertebral disc space.
List the priamary cause and 3 secondary causes of iliopsoas abscesses?
1- Staph aureus- hetrogenous spread
2- crohns, IVDU, Diverticulitis, endocarditis, Vertebral osteomyelitis
what are the sx of an iliopsoas abscess?
Fever
Back/flank pain
Limp
WL
What is the ix of choice and subsequent mx of a ilopsoas abscess?
CT Abdomen
Abx
Percutaneous drainage
Sx- if PD fails or other intra-abdominal pathology shown
What 2 muscles comprise the iliopsosa compartment?
Illiacus
Iliopsoas
What medication is indicated in patients with renal complications with a background of systemic sclerosis?
ACEI
What clinical features are present if the femoral nerve is damaged?
Weakness in knee extension,
loss of the patella reflex,
numbness of the thigh
What clinical features are present if the obturator nerve is damaged?
Weakness in hip adduction,
numbness over the medial thigh
What clinical features are present if the Sciatic nerve is damaged?
Weakness in knee flexion and foot movements,
pain and numbness from gluteal region to ankle
What nerve is most at risk and thus a complication of posterior hip dislocation?
Sciatic nerve
What is the management of plantar fascitis?
Initially with rest, stretching and weight loss if overweight
What are the causes of compartment syndrome?
Following fractures
Ischaemia repurfusion injury
What are the common types of fractures that result in compartment syndrome?
Supracondylar fractures
Tibial shaft fractures
List the sx of compartment syndrome?
Pain (esp on movement, not controllled by analgesia/opiates)
Parasthesia
Pulseless/pulse
paralysis of muscle group
pallor
How is compartment syndrome diagnosed
Needle manometry- measure intracompartmental pressure
>20mmHg- Abnormal
>40mmHg- Diagnostic
What is the mx of compartment syndrome?
Escalating to the orthopaedic registrar or consultant
Removing any external dressings or bandages
Elevating the leg to heart level
Emergency Fasciotomy +/- derbridement
what sx are present in an L3 nerve root compression?
sensory loss over anterior thigh
weak hip flexion, knee extension and hip adduction
reduced knee reflex
+ve femoral stretch test
what sx are present in an L4 nerve root compression?
Sensory loss over anterior aspect of knee and medial malleolus
weak knee and hip extension
reduced knee reflex
what sx are present in an L5 nerve root compression?
Sensory loss dorsum of foot
weakness in foot and big toe dorsiflexion
Knee reflex intact
what sx are present in an S1 nerve root compression?
Sensory loss over posterolateral aspect of leg
weakness of plantar flexion
What are the Ottawa Ankle rules that minimise the use of xrays in ankle injuries?
If pain in malleolar zone AND
1. Inability to weight bear for 4 steps
2. Tenderness over distal tibia
3. Bone tenderness over distal fibula
What is a toddler’s fracture?
Oblique tibial fracture
What is a greenstick injury?
unilaterla cortical breach in bone
What other conditions are linked with pseudogout?
Haemochromotosis
Hyperparathyroidism
Low magnesium and phosphate
Acromegaly
Wilson’s disease
What are the features of Behcet’s diseases?
Oral ulcers
Genital ulcers
Anterior uveitis
What are the expected bone chemistry results (PTH, Ca, PO4, and ALP) in osteogenesis imperfecta?
All values are normal
What is osteogenesis imperfecta?
An autosomal dominant group of conditions that affect collagen metabolism thus leading to bone fragility thus more to prone to fractures
List 4 features of Osteogenesis Imperfecta?
Present in childhoos
Blue sclera
Fractures following minor trauma
deafness 2ndry to osteosclerosis
Dental imperfections
List the triad of sx in reactive arthritis?
- Urethritis
- Conjuntivitis
- Arthritis
What investigation is key to perform in SLE?
ANA antibody screen- good to rule out
What investigations are done to diagnose SLE?
ANA antibody= +ve
ESR= Increased
Low complement levels (suggest active disease)
anti dsDNA
anti Smith
How would a posterior hip dislocation present as?
affected leg:
- shortened
- Internally rotated
- Adducted
How would a anterior hip dislocation present as?
Externally rotated + Abducted
List 3 complications of hip disclocations?
Sciatic or femoral nerve injury
Osteoarthritis
Recuurennt hip dislocations
Avascular necrosis
Which bones are affected in osteosarcoma?
Metaphysis region of long bones (femur, tibia, humerus)
What Xray changes are seen in osteosarcomas?
- Codmans triangle- periosteal elevation
- Sunburst appearance
What genetic associations are there with osteosarcomas?
Retinoblastoma
What is the most common malignant bone tumour?
Osteosarcoma
Which bones are affected in Ewings sarcoma?
Pelvis and Long bones
List 3 benign bone tumours?
- Osteoma- linked with gardeners syndrome
- Osteochonroma- most common BBT
- Giant cell tumour- xray- double bubble, soap sign
What are the features of osteochondritis dissecans?
- Knee pain and swelling
- Knee catching and locking
- Painful clunk when extending and flexing knee
What xray changes would be present in osteochondritis dissecans?
Sunchondral crescent sign
Loose bodies
What would a RA joint aspirate show in synovial fluid analysis?
Yellow , cloudy fluid
Increased WBC count- predominantly polymorphular neutrophils
Absence of crystals
What are the triad of symptoms in Felty’s syndrome?
RA
Splenomegaly
Low WCC
What is the highest risk complication in individuals with marfan’s syndrome?
Repeated pneumothoraces
What are the following test results in polymyalgia rheumatic (ESR, CRP, CK, EMG) ?
ESR, CRP- Elevated
Normal EMG and CK
What is the mx of RA flares?
Oral or IM corticosteroids
List 4 causes for AVN of the hip?
Long term stroid usage
Alcohol excess
Chemotherapy
Trauma
What is the Ix of choice for AVN of hip?
MRI
What are the sx of tennis elbow?
Pain and tenderness at elbow joint
Pain worse on wrist extension against resistance w/ elbo extended
Painful supination of elbow
What is Ehlers danlos syndrome?
Autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder, most likely affecting type 3 collagen
What type of collagen is affected in ehlers danlos?
Type 3
What score is used to assess hypermobility?
Beighton score
>5/9 in adults and >6/9 in children
What is Sjogren syndrome?
Autoimmune disorder affecting the exocrine glands, thus resulting in dry mucosal surfaces
List 5 sx of Sjogren’s syndrome?
Dry eyes- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Dry mouth
Vaginal dryness
Arthralgia
Raynauds
List the antibodies specific to Sjogren?
Anti RO and Anti La
What abx should never be co-prescribed with methotrexate?
Trimethoprim or Co-trimoxazole
What monitoring is required with methotrexate use?
FBC, U&Es, and LFTs every 3 months
What is the mx of sjogren’s?
Artificial tears and saliva
What antibody/ies are present in dermatomyositis?
Anti Jo-1
Anti Mi-2 (more specific)
What antibody/ies are present in polymyositis?
Anti Jo-1
What antibody/ies are present in drug-induced lupus?
Anti-histone
What is the mx of anti-phospholipid syndrome (secondary thromboprophylaxis) ?
Long term coagulation with Warfarin (target INR 2.0-3.0)
How does the mx of anti-phospholipid syndrome differ in pregnancy?
During pregnancy, women with APS are typically managed with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of miscarriage and other complications such as pre-eclampsia.
Warfarin must be avoided due to teratogenicity.
What nerve roots form the sciatic nerve?
L4-S1
List the clinical features of sciatica?
Lower back pain
Unilateral leg pain
Paraesthesia
Weakness
Diminished reflexes
What IX can be performed in clinic to diagnose sciatica?
Straight leg raise (SLR) - radiating pain is felt when the hip is flexed to between 30 and 60 degrees.
What is the mx of sciatica?
1st line- NSAIDs
alt if NSAIDs contrindicated- Codeine +/- Paracetamol
What are the deficits in a C6 nerve root compression? (Motor, refelx, sensory)
Motor- Weakness in elbow flexion and wrist extension
Reflexes- Biceps ans supinator affected
Sensory- Along lateral forearm, thumb and first finger
What are the deficits in a C7 nerve root compression? (Motor, refelx, sensory)
Motor- Weakness in elbow extension and wrist flexion and finger extension
Reflexes- Triceps reflex
Sensory- Middle finger
List the clinical features of spinal stenosis?
Bilateral back, buttock/thigh/leg pain, with associated numbness, tingling, weakness
Symptoms are exacerbated when walking/ exertion, or prolonged standing - claudication.
Symptoms are exacerbated by back extension, and relieved by flexion which increases the canal space - trolley cart sign.
Symptoms are relieved by rest, or sitting down/leaning forwards
What is the 1st line Ix in suspected spinal stenosis
MRI Spine
What is the cauda equina?
The collection of peripheral nerves (L1-S5) in the lumbar canal
List the clinical features of cauda equina syndrome?
Back pain
Scaitica (UL/BL)
Lower limb weakenss
Bladder dysfunction
Saddle anaesthesia
Bowel dysfunction
ED