Osteoarthritis Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
wear and tear of the synovial joints due to an imbalance between cartilage damage and chondrocyte response, leading to structural issues in the joint
Give 6 risk factors for osteoarthritis:
1) age
2) obesity
3) occupation
4) trauma
5) female sex
6) family history
Give 5 joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis:
1) hips
2) knees
3) distal interphalangeal joints of the hand
4) carpometacarpal joints of the thumb
5) lumbar and cervical spine
Give the 4 LOSS X-ray changes seen in osteoarthritis:
1) loss of joint space
2) osteophytes (bony lumps)
3) subarticular sclerosis (increased bone density of the joint plate)
4) subchondral cysts (fluid filled holes in the bone)
Describe the presentation of osteoarthritis:
joint pain and stiffness which tends to worsen with activity and at the end of the day
Give 5 signs of osteoarthritis:
1) crepitus
2) effusion around the joint
3) Heberden’s nodes (DIP joint)
4) Bouchard’s nodes (PIP joint)
5) squaring at the base of the thumb (carpometacarpal joint)
At which joint would you find Heberden’s nodes in OA?
DIP
At which joint would you find Bouchard’s nodes in OA?
PIP
True or false: patients with OA may present with referred pain in nearby joints
True
Give 3 non-pharmacological management strategies for OA:
1) therapeutic exercises and physio
2) weight loss (to reduce load on the joint)
3) occupational therapy
Give 2 pharmacological management strategies for OA:
1) topical NSAIDs
2) oral NSAIDs
What is prescribed alongside long term oral NSAIDs?
PPI (for gastroprotection)
True or false: weak opiates and paracetamol are recommended for long term OA treatment
False
Give 2 invasive management strategies for OA:
1) intra-articular steroid injection
2) joint replacement
Give 4 side effects of long term NSAID use:
1) gastritis and peptic ulcers
2) AKI and CKD
3) hypertension
4) exacerbating asthma
