OA

Question 1

What are the common examination findings?

Answer 1

Hands:

Bouchards and Heberdens nodes

Painful DIP/PIP and radio carpal joints

Question 2

What are the investigations?

Answer 2

To finish the exam i would like to - examine the joint above and below and perform a neurovascular exam if i havent already

By the bed - History and obs and functional status

Bloods - FBC, U/E an bone profile to check for associated conditions.

ESR/CRP for inflammation

RF to rule out RA

Other - X ray of the joint

Question 3

What are the key investigation findings?

Answer 3

Bloods may be normal

X - RAy:

Joint space narrowing

Osteophytes

Subchondral cysts

Subchondral sclerosis

Question 4

What is the treatment?

Answer 4

Conservative - Explain what is is and about weight loss and a healthy diet, stay mobile, splints and walking aids

Medical - Paracetamol, topical NSAIDS for hands and wrists and then oral NSAIDS with PPI

Question 5

What are the risk factors?

Answer 5

Age

Obesity

Certain jobs

Gait abnormalites