Osteoarthritis Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition of pain and limitation of movement of joints associated with excessive wear of articular cartilage resulting from a breakdown of the balance between the wear and repair processes in the joint.
Is osteoarthritis inevitable with age?
It is more common with increasing age although it would be misleading to suggest that all osteoarthritis is an inevitable accompaniment to old age.
What class is arthritis with a known cause?
secondary
What class is arthritis with an unknown cause?
primary
What can cause primary osteoarthritis?
abnormal mechanical stress
some unknown
What can cause secondary osteoarthritis?
congenital - CDH childhood - perthes, infection trauma - fracture metabolic - gout, crystal athropathy infection - TB chronic inflammation - rheumatoid
what is a typical osteoarthritis history from a patient?
pain associated with loss of function. Stiffness is also a feature but secondary to pain.
Usually pain during activity and tiredness due to the excess effort required to mobilise. GP sought when simple analgesia no longer controls pain.
What symptoms are found on examination of an arthritic joint?
pain and limitation of movement
What is the primary goal of joint replacement?
Remove pain
What are the nonsurgical treatments for arthritis?
weight loss
use of a stick
rest and physiotherapy
What are the surgical options in arthritis?
nothing
arthrodesis
osteotomy
arthroplasty
What is the long term disadvantage of arthrodesis?
It adds additional stress to adjacent joints e.g. lumber spine and knee . Commonly a second operation is done later to then perform an arthroplasty.
What joints are commonly fused?
ankle
wrist
What is osteotomy?
surgical realignment of a joint typically by removing some bone to redistribute forces in a joint.
What is the main outcome of joint replacement?
relief of pain
stiffness will likely remain
