Osteoarthritis

Question 1

what is osteoarthritis?

Answer 1

A degenerative disorder where wear and tear in weight bearing joints/joints that are used over time lose articular cartilage, leading to loss of joint space and permanent damage to the bone in the joint

Question 2

in terms of movement/resting, what makes the joint pain in OA better or worse?

Answer 2

more painful on movement, better when resting

Question 3

how long does morning stiffness last for?

Answer 3

< 30 mins

Question 4

what can be seen on examination of the hands in OA?

Answer 4

heberdens nodes
bouchards nodes
squaring of the hands

Question 5

what are Heberdens nodes?

Answer 5

swelling of the DIP joints due to osteophytes

Question 6

What are Bouchards nodes?

Answer 6

swelling of the PIP joints due to osteophytes

Question 7

What is seen on X-Ray in OA?

Answer 7

Loss of joint space
Osteophytes
Sclerosis
Subchondral cysts

Question 8

List some non-pharmacological measures used in the management of OA?

Answer 8

• physio (muscle strengthening)
• weight loss
• walking stick/other support measures
• joint replacement

Question 9

What the the aim of management of OA?

Answer 9

pain management as there is no cure for the disease

Question 10

Why do people get shorter as they get older? How can this lead to OA?

Answer 10

Intervertebral discs lose water content with age - overloads the facet joints causing OA in them

Question 11

Inflammatory markers are usually raised in OA. True or false?

Answer 11

True