Osteoarthritis

Question 1

What is osteoarthritis in the cervical spine called?

Answer 1

Spondylosis

Question 2

Which joints can be affected by osteoarthritis in the spine?

Answer 2

Discs / intervertebral joints (DDD)
Facet joints (DJD)

Question 3

What are the potential implications for osteoarthritis in the spine?

Answer 3

Radiculopathy
Myelopathy

(can be caused by narrowing of the intervertebral foramina or vertebral canal and/or compression by bony osteophytes)

Question 4

What are the risk factors for developing osteoarthritis?

Answer 4

Age
Female
Obesity
Previous trauma
Overuse

Question 5

Describe the condition of osteoarthritis

Answer 5

• degeneration of articular cartilage in joints
• degeneration causes inflammation which can hasten the degenerative process
• inflammation can damage tendons and ligaments
• can cause bony surfaces to rub on each other, causing increased pain and inflammation
• can cause growth of bony osteophytes, further narrowing joint space

Question 6

What are the most common sites for OA?

Answer 6

Neck
Hips
Knees
Fingers
Toes

Question 7

What is the typical presentation of OA?

Answer 7

• insidious onset joint pain (with movement) and stiffness
• may have visible deformity or oedema
• bony end feel with joint play
• crepitus with range of motion

Question 8

Describe primary and secondary OA

Answer 8

Primary:
- idiopathic (no known cause)

Secondary (to another condition or injury):

• trauma
• gout
• diabetes

Question 9

What is the difference between OA and RA?

Answer 9

OA:

• degenerative condition
• chronic joint disorder (not systemic)
• degeneration and secondary inflammation of cartilage in joints

RA:

• autoimmune condition (systemic)
• causes inflammation and degeneration of synovium of joints