Session 3 - Disorders of the hip Flashcards
Superior gluteal nerve injury
How can the nerve become damaged?
- a complication of hip surgery
- injections to the buttock
- fractures of the greater trochanter (site of insertion of gluteus medius)
- dislocation of the hip joint
Superior gluteal nerve injury
Name the 2 muscles that are damaged hence the action of the lower limb that is weakened
- Gluteus medius
- Gluteus minimus
Weakness in abducting the thigh at the hip
Superior gluteal nerve injury
What is the Trendelenburg sign?
Sound side sags
- when asked to stand on the injured limb, the pelvis drops on the undamaged, unsupported side
Osteoarthritis
What is the difference between primary and secondary osteoarthritis?
Primary - the cause is unknown
Secondary - there is a known precipitating cause
Osteoarthritis
Give examples of the risk factors for primary OA
- Age
- Sex (Female>Male)
- Ethnicity (Coloured > Caucs)
- Genetics (OA runs in families)
- Nutrition
Osteoarthritis
Gives some examples of specific causes of secondary OA
- Obesity
- Trauma
- Infection
- Metabolic disorders
- Haematological disorders
Osteoarthritis
What are the symptoms of OA in any joints?
- deep aching joint pain, exacerbated by use
- reduced range of motion and grinding (crepitus)
- stiffness during rest (morning stiffness <1 hour)
Osteoarthritis
Explain the pathology of Osteoarthritis
- Risk factors leads to excessive or uneven loading of the joint and damage to articular hyaline cartilage
- Increased proteoglycan synthesis by chondrocytes in an attempt to repair damaged cartilage
- flaking and fibrillation of cartilage leading to an erosion down to the subchondral bone (reduced joint space)
- Surface changes alter joint biomechanics
Osteoarthritis
Name the 3 effects that altered joint biomechanics leads to due to the surface changes in the cartilage
- Subchondral Sclerosis
(subchondral bone responds with vascular invasion and increased cellularity, becoming thickened and denser at areas of pressure) - Subchondral bone cysts
(cystic degeneration of bone) - Osteophytes
(osseous metaplasia of connective tissue occurs, leading to the irregular outgrowth of new bone)
Osteoarthritis
What are the four cardinal signs of OA on an X-ray?
- Reduced joint space
- Subchondral sclerosis
- Subchondral bone cysts
- Osteophytes
Osteoarthritis of the hip
What are the symptoms of this?
- Joint stiffness that occurs getting out of bed and when standing up after sitting down for a long time
- Pain, tenderness or swelling in the hip, gluteal and groin regions radiating to the knee (via the obturator nerve)
- Mechanical pain (pain accentuated by mobilisation or weight-bearing)
- Crepitus (a grating sound or crunching/crackling sensation of bone rubbing on bone)
- Reduced mobility e.g. difficulty walking, difficulty putting on socks and shoes
getting in and out of a car / the bath etc
Osteoarthritis of the hip
How is this diagnosed?
- clinical presentation (signs and symptoms)
- supported by X-ray changes (cardinal signs)
Osteoarthritis of the hip
What are the initial non-operative/pharmacological treatments used to manage this condition?
- Activity Modification (avoiding activities that worsen symptoms)
- Weight reduction ( if overweight)
- Stick/Walker
- Physiotherapy
Osteoarthritis of the hip
What are the pharmacological treatments used to manage this condition?
- Paracetamol, NSAIDs
- Nutritional supplements
- Corticosteroid injections ( reduce swelling)
- Viscosupplementation ( Hyaluronic acid injections)
Osteoarthritis of the hip
What are the operative treatments used to manage this condition?
Total Hip replacement
replaces the damaged surfaces with implants and helps to relieve pain and restore mobility