Osteoarthritis Flashcards
Definition Osteoarthritis
Group of Degenerative conditions that affect joints, specifically the articular cartilage and subchondral bone
Types of Osteoarthritis
Primary OA- idiopathic
Local- 1 or 2 joints
Generalized- 3 or more joints
Secondary OA- results from a known cause- trauma or underlying pathology
Proteglycans
Molecules that give elasticity to cartilage
Cartilage is
Aneural- no nerves to register pain
Pathological process of OA
Early stages
Early stages:
-Collagen fibers break due to repeated stress, tries to repair itself by increasing water content, cartilage is thicker than normal
- proteoglycans are depleted and cartilage becomes softer + thinner
- vertical clefts develop they will deepen and eventually fragments of cartilage fall off into synovial fluid
- subchondrial bone becomes exposed + pain sets in
Pathological process of OA
later stages
Later stage:
-subchondrial bone remodels + thickens, become hard + dense like ivory
-cysts and microfractures appear below surface of bone + weaken it
-osteophytes(bone spurs) grow at margins of the jt- alter shape of joint, restricting movements, can compress nerve roots, inflammation, jt swelling, atrophy can occur to mms that cross over jt
Causes OA
●Idiopathic
●Altered Biomechanics: ex, leg length discrepancy, valgus or varus knee
●Immobilization: reduces circulation of synovial fluid
●Trauma- fractures
●Chronic over use or repeated stress
Diagnosis of OA
●Health/history question
●Physical exam
●Tests to differentiate other pathologies
●Xrays
Common OA locations
Hands:
-herberdens nodes- distal interphalangeal jt with lat deviation
-Bouchards nodes- proximal interphalangeal joints
Spine:
-L4-L5 commonly affected
-C4-L7 commonly affected
Hip:
-internal rotation + extension reduced
-knee- crepitus present during active and passive mvmt
