OA Flashcards
What is OA?
A progressive, degeneration of articular cartilage as a result of wear and tear.
What is Primary vs Secondary OA?
Primary = No underlying cause
Secondary = A result of abnormal force across the joint due to existing conditions, injuries or infections.
What are the most common clinical presentations of knee OA?
Gradual onset worsened with activity
Stiffness, worse in morning
Pain after prolonged sitting or resting
Crepitus with movement
POP joint line
What is the general course of treatment of knee OA?
Conservative encouraged, if no improvement go to medical managmement.
How is OA diagnosed?
There is no requirement for medical imaging to diagnose, however, should be diagnosed with X Ray.
The knee joint contains 2 articulations, which is more commonly affected by OA?
PFJ normally affected first, then ‘spreads’ to tibiofemoral joint.
What are the difference grades of OA?
1 = minor bone spur growth, asymptomatic
2 = Mild OA, healthy cartilage with increased bone spur growth.
3 = Moderate OA, considerable cartilage damage and narrowed joint space.
4 = Severe OA, minimal joint space, degraded cartilage and decreased synovial fluid.
What is the Medical Management of Knee OA?
- Corticosteroid Injections
- Arthroscopy
- Arthroplasty or TKR
What is the bottom line for Knee OA?
Chronic disease, treatment should begin conservatively then consider surgical options should this fail. MDT Approach should be used to target diet, medication etc.
What does conservative management of Knee OA look like?
Emphasis placed on self-management.
- Education
- Exercise
- Manual Therapy
What education can be given to a patient?
Understanding what OA is.
Explaining subjective nature of pain.
Long Term Management and Self-Manage
Activity modification
Weight Loss / Smoking Cessation
What is THE BEST exercise for OA?
There is no BEST, arguably the best form is whatever the patient enjoys / will acc do.
Walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, tai chi, resistance training.
What typical resistance training exercises would be good for knee OA?
Quad & Hip Strengthening.
SQ, SLR, Bridge, Mobility ex.
What is the role of massage to OA?
It may be useful for some patients but there is low supporting evidence of its effectiveness.
Swimming for Knee OA?
Like any exercise, great if the patient enjoys doing it and will be compliant LONG-TERM!
However, really good when pain is high and analgesia is poorly tolerated as non-WB.
