Arthritis

Question 1

Define osteoarthritis

Answer 1

A degenerative joint disease. A clinical syndrome of joint pain accompanied by functional limitation and reduced QOL.

Question 2

What is the difference between primary and secondary OA?

Answer 2

Secondary has known etiology

Question 3

What are the main characteristics of OA?

Answer 3

• OA is a chronic disease of the MSK system without systemic involvement
• OA is mainly a non-inflammatory disease of synovial joints
• No joint ankylosis is observed in the course of the disease

Question 4

What are the risk factors of arthritis?

Answer 4

• Obesity
• Past injury in a joint
• Occupational factors
• Genetics
• Increases with age

Question 5

What are the signs and symptoms of arthritis?

Answer 5

• Joint pain
• Crepitis
• Joint deformity
• Osteophytes
• Joint stiffness

Question 6

Describe the differences between a healthy hip and a hip with OA

Answer 6

Healthy - bone covered with cartilage, acting as a cushion so the joint functions without pain
Diseased - wear and tear leads to bone-on-bone contact, soreness and swelling.

Question 7

Compare and contrast RA with OA

Answer 7

RA- Can happen at any age, rapid onset, affects small joints of hands and feet, stiffness is worse in the morning, causes fatigue, fever and night sweats.
OA - Usually later in life, slow onset, initially asymmetrical, weight bearing joints, knees, hips and stiffness is worse at the end of the day.

Question 8

What signs of OA are seen on an X-ray?

Answer 8

• Subchondrial sclerosis
• Osteophytes
• Narrowing of joint space
• Subchondrial bone cysts

Question 9

What investigations can be done in OA?

Answer 9

• FBC
• U&E’s
• LFT
• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
• CRP

Question 10

What changes occur in articular cartilage due to OA?

Answer 10

• Increased tissue swelling
• Change in colour
• Cartilage fibrillation
• Cartilage erosion down to subchondral bone