Osteoarthritis Flashcards
define osteoarthritis
degeneration of articular cartilage and reactive remodeling of subchondral bone and periarticular tissues
what areas does OA effect?
most joint structures including cartilage, bone, muscle, synovium, and the joint capsule
what is the “more appropriate” term for osteoarthritis? why?
degenerative process (-osis) and not an inflammatory one (-itis). DJD (degenerative joint disease) will be a better term.
most common arthritis in older patients?
OA
pathognomonic finding for OA
breakdown of the cartilage of the joint.
approach to txt for OA?
conservative and base on life-style changes until pain and/or disability requires a surgical approach when feasible.
when do men and women get OA?
Before age 45, more common in men
After age 55, more common in women (maybe b/c of bone protective-effects of estrogen)
OA: Xray evidence correlates poorly with what?
symptom severity
primary OA
idiopathic + limited to a few joints
secondary OA
caused by ... acute or chronic trauma bone disorders congenital/development d/o metabolic/endocrine d/o inflammatory arthritis
what are the OA risk factors? (6)
- AGE (biggest one)
- obesity
- joint malalignment (varus)- bowlegged
- high bone density (odd but true!)
- repetative impact loading
- family history
Women with osteoporosis and hip fracture have _____ risk of OA
decreased
- possibly b/c they tend to weight less.
- soft bone protects cartilage better than dense bone (absorbs impact)
4 OA joint changes
- Joint space narrowing
- Subchondral bone sclerosis
- Subchondral cysts
- Osteophytes
clinical manifestations of OA
- pain
- stiffness
- swelling
- deformity/ loss of function
- crepitus
- erythema + warmth
what makes OA pain worse?
activity (improves with rest)
stiffness in OA ?
- Morning stiffness is brief (< 1 hour)
2. May develop after prolonged inactivity (“gelling”)