Musculoskeletal Flashcards
Which is the most common type of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis - Pathophysiology
Non-inflammatory, wear and tear resulting from loss of articular cartilage
Imbalance of cartilage damage and repair process
Exposed bone prone to microfractures and cysts
Osteoarthritis - Risk factors
Elderly F>M Obesity Occupation RA Gout *Osteoporosis reduces risk of OA*
Osteoarthritis - Symptoms
Weight-bearing joints - Knee, hip Pain on movement Worse at end of day Minimal swelling Crepitus (cracking/popping sounds)
Osteoarthritis - Investigations
XR (LOSS - Loss of joint space, Osteophytes, Subchondral sclerosis, Subchondral cysts)
Bloods - normal
Osteoarthritis - Treatment
Exercise/physio Hot/cold packs Analgesic ladder Intra-articular steroids Surgery - Remove osteophytes, joint replacement/fusion (if severe)
Rheumatoid arthritis - Pathophysiology
Chronic systemic inflammatory disease due to deposition of immune complexes in synovial joints which causes symmetrical, deforming polyarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis - Risk factors
Age F>M Smoking Stress Infection Autoimmune conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis - Symptoms
Symmetrical swollen, painful and stiff joints
Hands and feet
Worse in morning
Worse in hot weather
Extra-articular manifestations - Weight loss, increased CV event risk
Rheumatoid arthritis - Signs
Swollen MCP, MTP joints
Boutonniere/swan-neck deformity
Muscle wasting
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis - Investigations
Rheumatoid factor (Not-specific)
Anti-CCP (Specific)
FBC - Raised platelets, CRP, ESR
XR - LESS (Loss of joint space, Erosions, Soft tissue swelling, Soft bones (osteopenia)
Rheumatoid arthritis - Treatment
NSAIDs Refer to rheumatologist DMARDs (Methotrexate) Biologics (Etanercept) Exercise MDT approach Steroids (acute exacerbations)
Differences between OA and RA
OA - Degenerative, pain increases with use, <30mins morning stiffness, bony swelling, no inflammation, older people, knees/hips
RA - Inflammatory, pain eases with use/worst at rest, 1hr> morning stiffness, swelling due to joint effusions, hot and red joints (inflamed), younger people, hands/feet, respond to NSAIDs
Osteoporosis - Pathophysiology
Low bone mass due to increased resorption and decreased formation, leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risk
Osteoporosis - Classification
Primary - Menopause, age
Secondary - Disease, steroid use, alcohol, smoking, hyperthyroid/parathyroid, renal/liver failure, family history, low dietary calcium (lactose intolerance)
Osteoporosis - Symptoms
Asymptomatic until fracture (Hip, wrist, vertebra)
Osteoporosis - Investigations
FRAX (Fracture risk assessment tool - Age, sex, BMI, previous fracture, steroids)
Osteoporosis - Treatment
Bisphosphonate (Alendronate, risedronate)
Strontium ranelate
Prevention - Adcal D3 (VitD, calcium), calcium-rich diet, exercise, stop smoking and alcohol
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - Pathophysiology
1) Multisystemic autoimmune inflammatory disease in which autoantibodies are produced by B cells
2) Autoantibodies target variety of autoantigens
3) Formation of immune complexes at various sites
4) This activates complement system and influx of neutrophils causing inflammation in those tissues
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - Risk factors
F>M Age 20-40 Afro-carrib Hereditary UV light (sunlight) Drugs
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - Symptoms
Remitting and relapsing Fatigue Myalgia/arthalgia Skin problems Fever Lymphadenopathy Weight loss MD SOAP BRAIN - Malar rash, Discoid rash, Serositis (pleuritis, pericarditis), Oral ulcer, Arthritis, Photosensitivity, Bloods (All low - anaemia, leukopenia), Renal disorder (proteinuria), Neurological (seizures)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - Investigations
ANA screening (sensitive)
Anti-dsDNA (specific)
Raised ESR/CRP (Inflammation markers)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - Treatment
Lifestyle
Analgesia/NSAIDs
Prednisolone
Biologics (Rituximab)
Antiphospholipid syndrome - Complications
Increased risk of clots - coagulation defects (DVTs, strokes)
Recurrent miscarriages
Thrombocytopenia (Reduced platelet levels)
Antiphospholipid syndrome - Treatment
Lifestyle
Warfarin (anticoag)
Aspirin (antiplatelet)
Sjogren’s syndrome - Pathophysiology
Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease
Primary fibrosis of exocrine glands
Sjogren’s syndrome - Symptoms
Dry eyes and mouth
Parotid swelling (enlarged salivary glands)
Dry cough
Sjogren’s syndrome - Investigation
Schirmer’s test (measures conjunctival dryness)
Sjogren’s syndrome - Treatment
Artificial tears and saliva
NSAIDs (arthralgia)
Systemic sclerosis/CREST syndrome - Pathophysiology
Autoimmune disorder
Systemic sclerosis/CREST syndrome - Symptoms
All skin fibrosed
Organ fibrosis (lungs, cardio, renal)
Raynaud’s (Digital ischaemia - spasm of blood vessels in response to cold/stress,)
Systemic sclerosis/CREST syndrome - Treatment
No cure
Treat organs involved
Raynaud’s - Pathophysiology
Digital ischaemia due to paroxysmal vasospasm
White>blue>red (Ischaemia, deoxygenation, reactive hyperaemia)
Raynaud’s - Treatment
Stop smoking
Keep warm
Propanolol
Polymyositis - Pathophysiology
Symmetrical proximal muscle weakness (stairs, chairs, hair analogy) due to striated muscle inflammation
Polymyositis - Symptoms
Myalgia
Arthralgia
Polymyositis - Investigation
Muscle enzymes - Raised CK, ALT, AST
Muscle biopsy
Malignancy screen
Polymyositis - Treatment
Prednisolone
Dermatomyositis - Pathophysiology
Polymyositis + skin affected
Dermatomyositis - Symptoms
Macular rash (Purple eyelid rash)
Dermatomyositis - Treatment
Prednisolone
Ankylosing spondylitis - Pathophysiology
Chronic inflammatory disease of spine and sacro-iliac joints
Ankylosis occurs which prevents flexion and rotation due to fusion during erosive repair phase
Ankylosing spondylitis - Cause
Enthesitis (Inflamed entheses - sites where tendons/ligaments insert to bone)
Ankylosing spondylitis - Symptoms
Back inflammation Back/buttock pain M>F Age 16-30 Morning waking due to pain Hips and knees flexed Question mark posture
Ankylosing spondylitis - End stage Sign
Bamboo spine
Ankylosing spondyitis - Investigation
XR
MRI
Bloods - Raised CRP/ESR
Ankylosing spondylitis - Treatment
Exercise/physio
NSAIDs
Anti-TNF alpha (Etanercept)
No response to DMARDs!
Psoriatic arthritis - Joints affected
Skin - psoriatic plaques
Spine - asymmetrical sacroiliac joint
Nails - hyperkeratosis
Psoriatic arthritis - Investigations
Bloods - Anaemia, raised ESR
XR - erosive changes
Psoriatic arthritis - Treatment
NSAIDs
DMARDs - Methotrexate, sulfasalazine, ciclosporin
Exercise
Reactive arthritis - Pathophysiology
Sterile inflammation of synovial membranes, tendons, fascia
Reactive arthritis - Causes
Distal infection (GI/STI) - Shigella, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, salmonella, campylobacter
Reactive arthritis - Symptoms (triad of reiter’s)
Can’t see (conjunctivitis)
Can’t pee (urethritis)
Can’t climb a tree (arthritis)
Reactive arthritis - Investigations
Bloods - Raised ESR/CRP
Stool culture (diarrhoea)
STI screen
XR (enthesitis, sacroiliitis)
Reactive arthritis - Treatment
Antibiotics (infection)
NSAIDs
Steroid joint injections (methotrexate)
Vasculitis - Pathophysiology
Inflammatory disorder of blood vessel walls, which can affect any organ by causing destruction (aneurysm/rupture) or stenosis of a vessel
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) - Pathophysiology
Inflamed temporal artery
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) - Symptoms
Headache Scalp tenderness (on combing hair) Acute visual changes Jaw claudication (pain when chewing)
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) - Investigation
Temporal artery biopsy
Bloods - ESR raised
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) - Treatment
Prednisolone (steroid)
Refer to ophthalmologist
IV methylpred (vision)
Polymyalgia rheumatica - Pathophysiology
Auto-inflammatory process affecting muscles and joints
Polymyalgia rheumatica - Symptoms
Symmetrical aching and tenderness
Morning stiffness in shoulders and proximal limb muscles
Polymyalgia rheumatica - Investigations
Bloods - Raised CRP/ESR
Polymyalgia rheumatica - Treatment
Prednisolone (steroids)
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Pathophysiology
Arterioles and capillaries affected
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Symptoms
Upper respiratory tract (Sinusitis, nasal crusting)
Pulmonary nodules (lungs)
Glomerulonephritis (Kidney)
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Investigations
Bloods - Raised ESR
CXR - Nodules
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Treatment
Prednisolone (steroid)
Biologics
Gout - Pathophysiology
1) Purines from diet converted to uric acid which is excreted by kidneys
2) Excessive uric acid transferred to tissues where it forms crystals
Gout - Causes
High intake, low excretion High purine diet (alcohol, red meat, sea food, fructose) Genetics Drugs (diuretics) Renal disease
Gout - Symptoms
Severe inflammation
Severe pain
Recurrent
Gout - Investigations
Raised serum urate
Polarised light microscopy - needle shaped crystals
Gout - Treatment
NSAIDs Lifestyle - diet, weight, alcohol Dairy, cherries, vitC is protective! Allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor) - preventitive Switch diuretics to losartan
Pseudogout - Pathophysiology
Calcium pyrophosphate crystals
Pseudogout - Risk factors
Age (as oppose to gout)
Hyperparathyroidism
Haemochromatosis
Diabetes
Pseudogout - Symptoms
Acute hot joint
Large joints affected such as knee
Pseudogout - Investigation
Aspirate to rule out septic arthritis
Polarised light microscopy - rhomboid-shaped crystals as oppose to gout
XR - Chondrocalcinosis
Pseudogout - Treatment
Ice pack
Intra-articular steroids
NSAIDs
Methotrexate/sulfasalazine
Fibromyalgia - Pathophysiology
Non-specific muscular disorder with unknown cause
Pain occurs without inflammation
Fibromyalgia - Risk factors
F>M
Middle age
Psychosocial factors - low household income, divorced
Fibromyalgia - Symptoms
Pain exacerbated with stress, cold weather Morning stiffness lasting <1hr Headache Abdo pain Fatigue Poor sleep
Fibromyalgia - Investigation
Presence of pain in >11/18 palpation sites in body
Fibromyalgia - Treatment
Exercise CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) Analgesia Acupuncture Amitriptyline (sleep and anti-depressant)
Lumbago/mechanical lower back pain - Pathophysiology
Damage to muscle/soft tissue causing spasm which leads to pain and this spasm-pain cycle conitnues
Lumbago/mechanical lower back pain - Symptoms
Lower back pain and stiffness
Worse on movement
Lumbago/mechanical lower back pain - Risk factors
Manual labour work Smoking Low socioeconomic status F>M (pregnancy) Age
Lumbago/mechanical lower back pain - Yellow and red flags
Yellow - psychological disorders
Red - Trauma, TB, steroid use, cancer history
Lumbago/mechanical lower back pain - Investigations
Bloods - Raised ESR/CRP (tumour, infection, myeloma)
XR (only if red flags)
Lumbago/mechanical lower back pain - Treatment
Don't rest, continue normal activities Heat pads Swimming Analgesic ladder (Diazepam) Physio/acupuncture CBT
Septic arthritis - Causes
Staph aureus
N. gonorrhoeae (young, sexually active)
Staph epidermidis (prosthesis)
E. coli (immunocompromised)
Septic arthritis - Risk factors
Immunosuppression Pre-existing joint disease Recent joint surgery/prosthetic joints Skin breaks/ulcers (diabetics) Elderly
Septic arthritis - Symptoms
Knee site affected commonly
Acute pain, red, hot, swollen, fever (septic until proven otherwise)
Septic arthritis - Treatment
Urgent aspiration (joint washout) for MCS
IV antibiotics for 2 weeks then oral antibiotics
Analgesia
Stop immunosuppressive drugs
Osteomyelitis - Pathophysiology
Bone infection due to haematogenous origin (boils), direct inoculation into bone, spread of infection from adjacent tissues to bone
Osteomyelitis - Causes
Staph aureus
Salmonella
E.coli
Strep
Osteomyelitis - Symptoms
Fever
Localised bone pain worse on movement
Osteomyelitis - Investigations
Bloods - WCC, CRP/ESR
Bone biopsy
XR
MRI (more sensitive)
Osteomyelitis - Treatment
Surgical drainage of abscess or dead bone
IV antibiotics
Osteomyelitis - Complication
Without treatment, bone death occurs
Bone tumours - Risk factors
Primary - Radiation (XR, CT)
Secondary - 5Bs (Breast, brostate, bidney, bronchus (lung), byroid)
Bone tumours - Types
Osteosarcoma - knees, humerus
Ewing sarcoma - hips, long bones
Chondrosarcoma - pelvis
Bone tumours - Symptoms
Nocturnal bone pain Local red, swelling Fatigue Weight loss Anaemia Fractures
Bone tumours - Investigations
XR
MRI
Biopsy
Bone tumours - Treatment
Chemo
Radio
Surgery
Bisphosphonates
Bone tumours - Myeloma - Pathophysiology
Malignancy of plasma cells leads to increased osteoclast activity
Bone tumours - Myeloma - Symptoms (CRAB)
Hypercalcaemia Renal failure Anaemia Bone lytic lesion (pepper-pot skull) Bone marrow infiltration - Fatigue, infection, bruising/bleeding
Bone tumours - Myeloma - Investigations
Serum/urine electrophoresis
Bone marrow aspirate
Bone profile
Bone tumours - Myeloma - Treatment
Analgesia (avoid NSAIDs due to renal failure) Bisphosphonates Stem cell transplant Chemo Transfusion for anaemia