Arthritis

Question 1

what is arthritis

Answer 1

synovitis
inflammation of the joint

Question 2

clinical signs of arthritis

Answer 2

redness - rubor
increased warmth - calor
pain - dolor
swelling/fluid accumulation (synovial effusion) - tumour
stiffness (especially in the AM) - functionalists laesa

Question 3

rheumatoid arthritis often presents as

Answer 3

chronic symmetrical poly arthritis involving small joints

Question 4

what does the synovium do

Answer 4

provides
- elasticity to allow movement of adjacent, non-deformable tissues
- control of synovial fluid volume/lubrication of cartilage
- composition and nutrition of chondrocytes
- performs immunological surveillance of articular microenvironment

Question 5

synovium consists of

Answer 5

1. continuous surface layer of cells (intima): macrophages and fibroblasts, fluid between the intimal surfaces (rich in hyaluronic acid)
2. underlying connective tissue (sub-intima): rich in blood and lymphatic vessels, resident fibroblasts and infiltrating cells, extracellular collagenous matrix

Question 6

type A synoviocytes

Answer 6

found in the intimal and subintimal regions of the normal synovium
prominent nonspecific esterase activity
provide immunosurveillence for joint
normally represent a minority of cells in normal intima
increase dramatically in arthritis and rheumatoid

Question 7

type B synoviocytes

Answer 7

fibroblasts
production of hyaluronan
regulate cellular trafficking
activity reduced in immune mediated arthriitis

Question 8

arthrosis

Answer 8

cartilage and bone degeneration of synovial joint - no/minimal synovitis

Question 9

arthralgia

Answer 9

pains and aches from periarticular soft tissue