Week 5- Osteoarthritis

Question 1

OA is a whole joint disease involving…

Answer 1

Cartilage
Synovium
Subchondral bone
Ligaments and tendons
Joint inflammation

Question 2

What is the most common symptom of OA?

Answer 2

Pain- related to activity

Question 3

What does OA lead to?

Answer 3

Impaired quality of life and disability

Question 4

What are some different approaches to managing OA?

Answer 4

Painkillers
Surgery
Exercise
Rest
Socially active
Hobbies
Education
Patient support groups

Question 5

What are some risk factors for OA?

Answer 5

Age
Female
Genetics
BMI- obesity and metabolic syndrome
Joint injury-trauma
Diet
Physical inactivity and muscle weakness
Occupations with repetitive joint use
Some sports

Question 6

What joints are commonly affected by OA?

Answer 6

Knees
Hips
First interphalangeal joint
First carpometacarpal joint
First tarsometaphalangeal joint
Apophyseal joints of lower cervical and lumbar spine

Question 7

How is OA diagnosed?

Answer 7

It is a clinical diagnosis
Often supplemented with X-Rays

Question 8

How should patients with OA be managed?

Answer 8

Reduce pain
Improve function
Improve quality of life

Question 9

What are the most important elements in treatment for OA?

Answer 9

Patient education
Weight control
Exercise
Social support

Question 10

What treatments are used to control pain in OA?

Answer 10

Oral Paracetamol
Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral NSAIDs-think about possible contraindications
Intra-articular injection of glucocorticoids for swollen acutely painfuljoint
There are no disease modifying agents for OA

Question 11

What is the use of joint replacement in OA?

Answer 11

Hip and knee most common
Total joint arthroplasty
Indicated for patients who have failed treatment and who havesignificant impairment in their quality of life
Improves pain control
Improves functional ability
But operations come with risk