Osteoarthritis

Question 1

what is osteoarthritis

Answer 1

non-inflammatory, degenerative arthritis affecting synovial joints

wear and tear of joints over time

cartilage destruction

usually occurs due to old age

Question 2

which joints are usually affected by osteoarthritis

Answer 2

usually affects larger joints which bear the most weight e.g. hip, knee, lumbar spine

can affects Distal IPJ and Proximal IPJ of hands

Question 3

who gets osteoarthritis

Answer 3

lots of people

1/5 of adults over 45

fat people

repetitive trauma e.g. sportspeople

Question 4

how does osteoarthritis present

Answer 4

morning stiffness <20 mins

reduced range of movement

slight swelling but NOT hot or red

crepitus may be present

pain worse at night and on movement

Question 5

what are the nodes you can see on people’s hands in osteoarthritis

Answer 5

Heberden’s nodes- distal interphalangeal joint

Bouchard’s nodes- proximal interphalangeal joint

Question 6

how do you diagnose osteoarthritis

Answer 6

X-ray:

• loss of joint space
• osteophytes (bony spurs)
• subchondral cysts
• subarticular sclerosis (thickening)

dont need all of them its just common findings

Question 7

how do you manage osteoarthritis

Answer 7

analgesia- NSAIDs/ weak/ strong opiods

intra-articular steroid injections

arthroplasty (bone resurfacing/ joint replacement)

Question 8

how does presentation of osteoarthritis differ from inflammatory disease

Answer 8

OA pain is worse with movement and towards the end of the day

pain with inflammatory arthritis improves with movement and morning stiffness lasts longer than 30 mins