Osteoarthritis Flashcards
what are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
family history female age > 50 years obese physical/manual occupation
what are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
pain stiffness - if early morning then it will ease with a few steps tenderness crepitus functional impairment heberden's and bouchard's nodes
what investigation would you carry out if you suspected osteoarthritis?
x-ray
what are the features of osteoarthritis on x-ray?
subchondral sclerosis
subchondral cysts
decrease in joint space
osteophytes
what is the treatment for acute osteoarthritis?
analgesia i.e. paracetamol
NSAIDS or intra articular steroid injection
what are the treatment options for ongoing osteoarthritis?
non-pharmacological
weight loss, use of aids, thermotherapy etc
pharmacological;
analgesia, NSAIDS, capsaicin, intra articular steroid injections, I.A. hyalauronic acid injections
surgical joint replacement
in what sex is osteoarthritis more common in?
females
what is the difference between primary and secondary osteoarthritis?
primary occurs without specific reason i.e. age, genetics etc
secondary occurs because of a problem i.e. mechanical imbalance (abnormal anatomy) or trauma
what are examples of biomechanics factors that can cause osteoarthritis?
obesity elite runners persistent heavy physical activity manual/physical occupation ligament tear intra articular fracture meniscal injury abnormal anatomy i.e. DDH
what occurs as a result of the inflammation in osteoarthritis?
synovial hypertrophy
joint effusion
subchondral changes
what are 3 diagnostic indicators of osteoarthritis?
age > 45yrs
either early morning joint related stiffness or morning stiffness that lasts < 30mins
what are the differential diagnoses of osteoarthritis?
gout
septic arthritis
malignancy
other inflammatory arthritides i.e. rheumatoid arthritis
what are the non-pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis?
thermotherapy (heat packs)
electrotherapy
aids and devices (walking stick)
manual therapy
