Rheumatology Flashcards
What is rheumatology?
the study of rheumatism, arthritis, and other disorders of the joints, muscles and ligaments.
What characterizes a charcot foot?
Uncontrolled inflammation that leads to osteolysis and progressive fracture and dislocation.
What are the predisposing factors for charcot foot?
PVD and neuropathy. Also a strong link with diabetes.
What are the two main theories surrounding charcot foot?
Neurotraumatic: neuropathy and repetitive trauma.
Neurovascular: increased blood flow and osteoclast activity leads to osteopenia and bony collapse; glycolization of soft tissue leads to joint collapse.
What do you look for in diagnosing a charcot foot?
Heat, pain, signs of inflammation.
How is charcot foot treated?
Hospitalise, apply cooling packs to foot, and put patient in a boot. Want to cast in correct position as bone turns very soft and plasticine-like.
What is the definition of rheumatoid arthritis?
A non-supportive, inflammatory symmetrical polyarthritis involving the peripheral joints.
What is the epidemiology of Rheumatoid arthritis?
- avg age is 27 y.o.
- higher prevalence in indigenous north americans
- socioeconomic status does not affect prevalence, does affect prognosis
- gender bias is 3:1 female to male
How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
- morning stiffness >1 hr
- arthritis in >3 joint areas
- arthritis of hand joints
- symmetric arthritis
- rheumatoid nodules
- serum rheumatoid factor
- radiographic changes
4 OF 7 CRITERIA MUST BE PRESENT FOR >6 WEEKS
What is the aetiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- UNKNOWN
- theories include racial, climatic, diet, psycho-somatic, traumatic, endocrine, biomechanical, genetic, auto-immune and infective.
What is rheumatoid factor?
Rheumatoid factor is present within the serum of 80% of RA sufferers - it is an autoantibody that initiates and helps sustain the inflammatory response.
What is the main reason behind the infectious theory of rheumatoid arthritis?
A small study found Rubella virus particles in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.
Is rheumatoid arthritis genetic?
A twin study found some indications of heritability. It is thought multiple genes are significant in RA, specifically in the HLA region.
What is the current thinking around the cause of Rheumatoid arthritis?
RA is triggered by exposure of an immunogenetically susceptible host to an arthritogenic microbial antigen.
What is the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis?
hyperplasia of the synovium