Musculoskeletal Pathology Flashcards
What is the musculoskeletal system made up of?
Bones, muscles, joints, cartilage and tendons.
How does a fracture occur?
Result of trauma. Can occur in healthy bone or in diseased bone.
How is a fracture treated?
Realign bone with a plaster cast +/- surgery.
How does a fracture heal?
Rupture of blood vessels causes haematoma which fills the fracture gap. This provides a fibrin meshwork to allow formation of granulation tissue. Inflamm. cells release cytokines.
What is osteoporosis?
Decrease in bone mass and density. Can lead to fractures.
What are the causes of osteoporosis?
Imbalance between bone resorption and bone production. Inadequate peak bone mass, excess bone resorption. Hormonal influences - lack of oestrogen. Calcium and Vit D deficiency.
What are the treatments for osteoporosis?
Alendronic acid - biphosphonate that prevents osetoclast activity.
What is arthritis?
Inflammation of a joint. Characterised by pain swelling, stiffness, redness and warmth. Restricted movement.
What is osetoarthritis?
Most common. Associated with increasing age and obesity. Usually in weight-bearing joints.
What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Increasing age, female sex, obesity, pre-existing joint deformity, mechanical stress, family history, hyper mobility.
What is the pathogenesis of osetoarthritis?
Wear and tear. Breakdown of articular cartilage. Underlying bone exposed, fragments of cartilage can fall into the joint.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Morning stiffness, pain, worse with movement, reduced range of movement, reduction in mobility, joint effusions.
Who does rheumatoid arthritis affect the most?
Women affected 3 times more than men. Affects 1% of the population.
What is the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid factors help form immune complexes in the circulation. Generates inflammation in the synovium. Membranes thicken. Chronic inflammation leads to cartilage and joint destruction.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Usually affects small joints of the hands and feet. Pain, swelling and deformity. Fever, fatigue, generalised pain. Joints often stiff without prior activity.
