osteoarthritis & Gout

Question 1

What are the Symptoms of Joint Disease?

Answer 1

PAIN
IMMOBILITY STIFFNESS
LOSS OF FUNCTION

Question 2

what are the Signs of Joint Disease?

Answer 2

• Swelling -fluctuant, bony, synovial
• Deformity
• Redness
• Crepitus
• LOSS OF FUNCTION

Question 3

What investigations would you use to diagnose joint disease?

Answer 3

• Radiography - Plain, MRI, Arthrography
• Blood -C-reactive protein (CRP), Rheumatoid factors (RF), Extractable Nuclear Antigens (ENA’s), Anti DS-DNA, Anti-Nuclear Antibody(ANA)
• Arthroscopy & Biopsy

Question 4

What are Acute monoarthropathies?

Answer 4

acute arthritis of a single joint

Question 5

What causes Acute monoarthropathies?

Answer 5

infection - septic arthritis

crystal arthropathy - gout

Question 6

What kind of deposits in joints cause Gout?

Answer 6

Uric acid crystal deposition

Question 7

What causes Gout?

Answer 7

• high uric acid levels
• levels increased because they’re drug induced (thiazide diuretics)
• could have a genetic predisposition
• obesity and alcohol enhance it

Question 8

What are the symptoms of gout?

Answer 8

• acute inflammation of SINGLE joint
• usually great toe
• usually a precipitating event - trauma, surgery, illness, diet/alcohol excess
• rapid onset - hours

Question 9

What are the dental implications of Gout?

Answer 9

• have to avoid aspirin as it interferes with uric acid removal
• Drug treatments for Gout can create oral ulcerations

Question 10

Osteoarthritis mainly affects which type of joints?

Answer 10

*weight bearing joints such as hips & knees

Question 11

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Answer 11

• pain which improves with rest and worsens with activity
• Brief morning stiffness
• Progresses slowly over the years

Question 12

What are the signs of osteoarthritis?

Answer 12

• Radiographs showing loss of joint space and osteophyte lipping at joint ledge
• Joint swelling & deformity

Question 13

How is osteoarthritis treated?

Answer 13

• progression cant be stopped
• Pain improved by increasing muscle strength around the joint
• weight loss
• walking aids
• NSAIDS
• Prosthetic replacements

Question 14

What are the dental implications of Osteoarthritis?

Answer 14

• TMJ can be involved rarely
• Difficulty accessing care
• Chronic NSAID use - oral ulceration/bleeding tendency
• May be on antibiotic prophylactics