Osteoarthritis

Question 1

What is osteoarthritis

Answer 1

A mechanically driven disease of the synovial joints
It is a group of diseases where there is an imbalances between cartilage synthesis and degradation

Question 2

How is a diagnosis of osteoarthritis made

Answer 2

Presence of pain plus typical changes on a radiograph

Question 3

List some clinical features of osteoarthritis

Answer 3

Painful joints
Involvement of hands, knees and hips

Question 4

List some o the symptoms of osteoarthritis

Answer 4

1. Localised pain which increases on weight bearing
2. Short lived or absent early morning joint stiffness
3. No symptoms

Question 5

List some of the signs of osteoarthritis

Answer 5

1. On the hands outgrowths known as nodes may be seen on the fingers eg Heberden’s nodes or Bouchard’s nodes
2. Generalised muscle wasting
3. Radiographic signs

Question 6

What are Bouchard’s nodes

Answer 6

Proximal interphalangeal nodes (PIP)

Question 7

What are Heberden’s nodes

Answer 7

Distal interphalangeal nodes (DIP) found towards the ends of the fingers

Question 8

Give some radiographic signs of osteoarthritis

Answer 8

1. Joint space narrowing
2. Osteophytes
3. Sclerosis
4. Subchondral bone cysts

Question 9

What are some of the risk factors for primary osteoarthritis

Answer 9

1. Incidence and prevalence increases with age
2. more common in women
3. More common in populations where load on joints is greater eg obesity or runners

Question 10

What are some of the risk factors for secondary osteoarthritis

Answer 10

1. More predictable following severity in the damaged joints

Question 11

How do we manage osteoarthritis

Answer 11

1. Pharmacological methods
2. Non pharmacological methods

Question 12

List some pharmacological management for osteoarthritis

Answer 12

1. Analgesics particularly NSAIDs
2. Injections of steroids/ hyaluronan

Question 13

List some non pharmacological management’s for osteoarthritis

Answer 13

1. Exercises
2. Weight loss
3. Education and support