Musculoskeletal - Arthritis

Question 1

What are the types of arthritis?

Answer 1

Osteoarthritis + rheumatoid arthritis

Question 2

What is osteoarthritis?

Answer 2

Erosion of cartilage at joint

Question 3

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 3

Erosion of bone at joint due to autoimmune response

Question 4

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Answer 4

Joints are painful and stiff
Cracking noise and grating sensation
Limited movement
Knobbly joint

Question 5

What are the causes of osteoarthritis?

Answer 5

Not a normal part of ageing but risk increases as you get older
Overweight puts more strain on joints
Develop after joint is damaged by injury or operation or not given enough time to heal

Question 6

What is the biological explanation of osteoarthritis?

Answer 6

General wear and tear isn’t repaired by body and cartilage is lost - bony growths develop and area becomes inflamed
Tendons and ligaments stretch and eventually bones rub together

Question 7

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 7

Throbbing pain, aching and stiffness
Joints swell and become hot and tender to touch
Firm swellings - rheumatoid nodules develop under skin around joint

Question 8

What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 8

Exact cause = unknown
Virus or infection
Risk increased by smoking, higher oestrogen levels
Can be inherited

Question 9

What is the biological explanation of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 9

Immune system attacks cells that line joint - synovial membrane that lines joint becomes inflamed - gradually destroys cartilage
Scar tissue replaces cartilage and joint becomes rigid - bone erodes

Question 10

How can arthritis be monitored?

Answer 10

Clinical observation - tests - blood pressure, temperature, movement of joints
Blood tests - rheumatoid only - measure RF - protein body produces when immune system attacks healthy tissue

Question 11

How can arthritis be treated?

Answer 11

Medication - steroids + NSAID’s - reduce swelling and inflammation, painkillers, corticosteroid injections - reduce swelling, supplements - glucosamine + chondrotin - help symptoms
Physiotherapy
Assistance equipment
TENS machine
Surgery - arthroscopy - clean out debris, arthroplasty - joint replacement, osteotomy - bone cut + realigned

Question 12

What are the benefits of blood tests for arthritis?

Answer 12

Amount of RF helps choose treatment approach

Blood tests are easy to get

Question 13

What are the cons of blood tests for arthritis?

Answer 13

RF factor may be detected in healthy people = not accurate way of deciding treatment
Take time for results
Need to be combined with clinical observation

Question 14

What are the benefits of medications for arthritis?

Answer 14

Effective pain relief
Steroids reduce inflammation
Easy to carry - portable

Question 15

What are the cons of medications for arthritis?

Answer 15

Steroids = side effects

Painkillers aren’t cure and affect liver and stomach lining

Question 16

What impacts does arthritis have on a person?

Answer 16

Medication side effects
Regular check ups 
Regular exercise needed
Pain = lack of sleep
Long recovery time from surgery