Osteoarthritis Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
It is defined as a condition in which there is progressive degeneration of cartilage within synovial joints
What three joints are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis - in order?
Knees
Hips
Hands
What is the pathophysiology cause of osteoarthritis?
There is an initial imbalance of cartilage homeostasis, in which there is increased cartilage degradation in relation to chondrocyte repair
This leads to synovitis and structural deformities within the joint
What five risk factors are associated with osteoarthritis?
Older Age
Female Gender
Family History
Joint Trauma
Obesity
Are the clincial features of osteoarthritis unilateral or bilateral?
Unilateral
What are the five clinical features of osteoarthritis?
Joint Pain
Joint Stiffness
Joint Crepitus
Joint Instability
Reduced Joint Movement
Describe the joint stiffness associated with osteoarthritis
It tend to worsen after activity
It tends not to be present in the morning or is present in the morning for a period less than 30 minutes
What is joint crepitus?
It is defined as an abnormal popping or crackling sound in joints
What are the additional five clinical features of hand osteoarthritis?
Bouchard’s Nodes
Heberden’s Nodes
Squaring of Metacarpophalangeal Joints
Squaring of First Carpometacarpal Joints
Reduced Grip Strength
What are Bouchard’s nodes?
They are bony enlargements of the proximal interphalangeal joints
What are Herberden’s node?
They are bony enlargements of the distal interphalangeal joints
What two investigations are used to diagnose osteoarthritis?
Blood Tests
X-Ray Scans
What two blood test results indicate osteoarthritis?
Normal CRP Levels
Normal ESR Levels
What are the four features of osteoarthritis on x-ray scans?
LOSS
Loss of Joint Space
Osteophytes
Subchondral Sclerosis
Subchondral Cysts
What are the three clinical diagnostic criteria of osteoarthritis?
Age > 45 Years Old
Activity Related Joint Pain
No Morning Joint Stiffness or Morning Stiffness < 30 Minutes