Osteoarthritis

Question 1

osteoarthritis

Answer 1

inflammatory problems in the weight-bearing joints

• not d/t wear and tear
• progressive & gradual
• cartilage lost –> underlying bone exposed –> degen of joints

Question 2

example of weight-bearing joints

Answer 2

shoulders, hips, and knees

Question 3

etiology (primary)

Answer 3

idiopathic

• genetic predisposition?
• age, gender, race

Question 4

etiology (secondary)

Answer 4

• young ppl (ex. athletes)
• repetitive motion/injury
• obesity

Question 5

why does obesity cause OA

Answer 5

higher body weight –> more stress on skeleton –> strains joints

Question 6

patho

Answer 6

• altered genes –> affect cytokines –> impact chondrocytes Fx –> composition & properties of cartilage change –> damage to cartilage –> impaired ability to maintain & heal it
• outer articular cartilage cracks & synovial fluid moves into cracks –> inflm (does not belong in that cavity)
• cartilage erodes –> bone exposed –> bone hardens (compensatory)
• w/ more bone-bone friction, more fissures develop –> fluid gets into bone –> form cysts (fluid-filled cavities)
• osteophytes form –> bony outgrowths into joint, enlarges joint & impedes movement of joint (bone grows where it shouldn’t) –> movement of joint difficult

Question 7

early changes in OA

Answer 7

enlarged joint space d/t erosion of cartilage

Question 8

late changes in OA

Answer 8

cysts, cracks, fissures, osteophytes, extensive erosion of cartilage & bone

Question 9

mnfts

Answer 9

• generalized aching pain (early)
• pain advances & localizes at affected joint & brought on by activity (later)
• dec mobility at joint d/t inflm within joints
• instability

Question 10

Dx

Answer 10

• Hx, Px, clinical presentation
• X-ray (later)
• exclusion labs (determine type of OA)
• look at what joint affected

Question 11

Tx

Answer 11

• Tylenol (1st line)
• COX-2 inhibitors
• NSAIDs
• intra-articular injections
• rehabilitate joints & inc Fx
• dec body weight
• Sx (joint replacement)
• incurable (sympt relief)