Osteoarthritis

Question 1

What is Osteoarthritis?

Answer 1

Common form of arthritis with articular cartilage loss.
NICE- A clinical syndrome of joint pain with functional limitation and reduced QOL!

Question 2

What is the cause of Osteoarthritis?

Answer 2

Primary - Unknown
Secondary - Specific cause, Injury, Congenital, Inflammatory, Gout, RA

Question 3

What are the risk factors with Osteoarthritis?

Answer 3

-45+
-Female
-BMI 25
-Physically demanding job role

Question 4

What are the pathological changes that occur in Osteoarthritis?

Answer 4

-Whole joint is involved, rate of damage exceeds rate of repair
-Joint fails to work effectively, the cycle of degeneration and more bone is exposed and the body cannot repair
-More cartilage and osteophytes grow and these destroy cartilage
-There is narrowing of the joint space resulting in synovitis and effusion

Question 5

What signs/symptoms correspond to Osteoarthritis?

Answer 5

-Activity related joint pain
-Morning stiffness for more than 30 mins
-Muscle wasting
-Nodes on hand/fingers

Question 6

If a joint is hot and swollen, with prolonged stiffness what isn’t this?

Answer 6

Osteoarthritis

Question 7

What is a non-pharmalogical treatment for osteoarthritis?

Answer 7

-Holistic approach
-Lifestyle changes
-Physiotherapy

Question 8

What pharmacological options are there fore Osteoarthritis?

Answer 8

-Topical NSAIDS or Capsaicin
-Paracetamol
-Oral NSAID + PPI
-Opioids
-Intra-articular corticosteroids