Musculoskeletal and rheumatological conditions Flashcards
Osteoarthritis: epidemiology
Worldwide, uncommon in black population, twice as common in women, occurs in over 50s.
Osteoarthritis: age
Mostly over 60s.
Osteoarthritis: sex
Women over 55 more likely to have it than men of a similar age.
Osteoarthritis: clinical symptoms.
Joint pain - pain exacerbated by movement, relieved by rest. Gelling on rest.
functional limitation
Osteoarthritis: clinical signs
Crepitus
Restricted movement
Bony enlargement
Joint effusion and variable levels of inflammation.
Osteoarthritis: investigations.
Blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, aspiration of synovial fluid.
Osteoarthritis investigations: blood tests.
ESR normal, sometimes high-sensitivity CRP elevated. Rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies are negative.
Osteoarthritis investigations: X-rays.
Abnormal only when advanced. Used pre-operatively.
Osteoarthritis investigations: MRI
Used to look for for meniscal tears, early cartilage injury and subchondral bone marrow changes.
Osteoarthritis investigations: aspiration
Shows viscous fluid with few leukocytes.
Osteoarthritis treatments.
All aimed at relieving symptoms. Physical measures, paracetamol, NSAIDs, intra-articular steroids or surgery.
Osteoarthritis pathology
Multifactorial process, mostly mechanical factors. Significant inflammation and also alteration of cartilage structure.
Red flag symptoms for back pain (divisions to help memory)
Divide into age, type of pain, associated symptoms, cancer, neuro and infectious to remember
Red flag symptoms for back pain (actual)
Age: under 20 or over 55.
Type of pain: If the pain is constant/progressive, nocturnal/worse when in a supine position, or if it is thoracic.
Associated symptoms: fever/night sweats/weight loss, morning stiffness or claudication in the leg.
Cancer: history of malignancy, abdo mass (also AAA).
Neuro: neurological disturbance (inc sciatica), leg pain (bilateral or alternating unilateral), sphincter disturbance.
Infection: current infection or immunosuppression.
Normal distribution of psoriasis
Forearm extensor surfaces.
Complications of chronic kidney failure
Hyperkalaemia, high levels of erythropoietin, hypocalcaemia.
Rheumatological conditions causing diffuse pain with no early morning stiffness
Chronic pain syndromes
Fibromyalgia
Malignancy
Rheumatological conditions causing diffuse pain with early morning stiffness
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Inflammatory myositis
Rheumatological conditions causing localised pain, with no early morning stiffness and no joint swelling
Osteoarthritis/arthropathy
Tendinopathy
Bursitis
Rheumatological conditions causing localised joint pain with early morning stiffness, in a single joint.
SEPSIS
Crystals (gout)
Reactive
Spondyloarthritis.
Rheumatological conditions causing localised joint swelling and pain with early morning stiffness, in multiple joints
Rheumatoid Viral (if less than 6 weeks) SLE Sponyloarthritis Crystals
Joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis
Distal interphalangeal joints, first CMC joint in hand, MTP joint of foot, and weight-bearing joints.
Heberden’s nodes
Bony swellings at DIPJ
Bouchard’s nodes
Bony swellings at PIPJ
Rheumatoid arthritis definition
A chronic symmetrical bony arthritis caused by a systemic autoimmune disorder with extra-articular involvement
Rheumatoid arthritis - epidemiology
Peak prevalence 30-50 years, pre-menopausal women affected more than men, familial association.
Rheumatoid arthritis - pathology
Activation of synovial T cells by unknown antigen leads to synovitis, synovial infiltration, angiogenesis and formation of a pannus. This leads to destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Rheumatoid nodules also form in the skin, pleura, pericardium and lung.
Rheumatoid arthritis - clinical features
Pain, early morning stiffness, and swelling of small joints. Joint effusions and wasting of surrounding muscles.
Periarticular features. Rheumatoid nodules at pressure points.
Progressive disease: joint instability, subluxation and deformity
Rheumatoid arthritis - investigations
Bloods: anaemia, raised inflammatory markers
Serum autoantibodies:RhF, antinuclear factor and anti-citrulline-contaiining peptide antibodies.
X-ray.
Aspiration: synovial fluid stirle with high neutrophil count.
Rheumatoid arthritis - treatment
Smoking cessation, NSAIDs, disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs). Anticytokine agents, coricosteroids, surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis - joints affected
PIPJ, MCPs and wrist. Can involve elbows, shoulders, spine, knees, ankles and feet.
Ankylosing spondylitis - definition
An inflammatory disorder of the back
Ankylosing spondylitis - epidemiology
Typically young men
Ankylosing spondylitis - clinical features
Increasing pain and morning stiffness in lower back, alleviated by exercise not rest. Progressive loss of spinal movement.
Increased loss of lumbar lordosis and increased kyphosis. Limitation of lumbar mobility and chest expansion.
Ankylosing spondylitis - investigations
Bloods: raised inflammatory markers
X-ray may be normal or show erosion.
MR shows early changes suggestive of osteitis and oedema.
Ankylosing spondylitis - treatment
Exercises.
Slow release NSAIDs taken at night.
What is a greenstick fracture?
A fracture in a child that involves partial cortical disruption.
Pars interarticularis position
A fracture of the area on a vertebra between the superior and inferior facet
Pars interarticularis result.
The fracture may lead to the vertebral body slipping anteriorly and leading to vertebral canal compression. Common in athletes at LIV and LV levels.