week 4: OA/RA

Question 1

What is the difference between primary and secondary OA ?

Answer 1

primary arises naturally

secondary arises through previous injury/disease (e.f Rheumatoid)

Question 2

How does OA appear on X-ray for Hands

Answer 2

joint space narrowing
may have osteophytes.

Metacarpal phalangeal joint not affected

Question 3

What is herbeden and Bouchards nodes in OA of the hands

Answer 3

Herbens accur at DIP joint

Bouchards accur at PIP (proximal)

Question 4

How does OA appear on x-ray for KNEE

Answer 4

• Medial side most often effected most (most weight bearing site)
• subchonral sclerosis
• osteophytes and cysts

Question 5

OA of the spine on x-ray appearance

Answer 5

• IV joint space narrowing
• Subchondral sclerosis (where a thin layer of bone is produced under cartilage)
• In C-spine osteophytes on posterior body may enroach into nerve rootlets (through the foramina)

Question 6

Rheumatoid Arthritis characteristics

Answer 6

symmetrical appearance of diffused joint space
Periarticular soft tissue swelling
osteoporosis 
no osteophytes 
bony erosions

Question 7

what is ankylosis?

Answer 7

Abnormal stiffening due to bony fusion

Question 8

what is Psoriatic arthritis??

Answer 8

• Pencil in cup appearance (tapering of phalanx head)
• sausage digit (swelling of entire finger)

usually effects the distal joints

Question 9

what is Gout

appearance on x-ray

Answer 9

• Caused my metabolism defects, depositing monosodium urate into joint.

will often present with oedema and swelling.
later indications include sublaxation erosion and joint space narrowing and tophi

Question 10

what is spondylosis

Answer 10

degeneration of IV discs

Question 11

what is sclerosis

Answer 11

Abnormal hardening of bone. common in osteoarthritis (seen with a white brim)