Arthritis and Osteochondrosis

Question 1

Define arthropathy

Answer 1

any joint disease

Question 2

Define arthritis

Answer 2

inflammation within a joint

Question 3

Define polyarthritis

Answer 3

inflammation in several joints simultaneously

Question 4

Define osteophyte

Answer 4

bony projections that form at synovial or articular margins

Question 5

Define enthesiophyte

Answer 5

bone projections that form at tendon/ligament attachment

Question 6

What is a joint mouse?

Answer 6

mobile fragment within a joint

• loose osteophyte
• fragment of cartilage

Question 7

Define -rrhaphy

Answer 7

to suture in place, or to close

Question 8

Define imbrication

Answer 8

surgical tightening

Question 9

Define -plasty

Answer 9

surgical repair or shaping of

Question 10

Define ankylosis

Answer 10

spontaneous fusion of a joint

- end stage of joint disease

Question 11

Define arthrodesis

Answer 11

surgical fusion of a joint

Question 12

Define arthrotomy

Answer 12

incision of a joint

Question 13

What is the cause of primary osteoarthritis?

Is it more common it dogs or cats?

Answer 13

• idiopathic

- more common in cats

Question 14

What are the causes of secondary osteoarthritis?

Answer 14

• DJD
• developmental (OCD, dysplasia)
• acquired (trauma, neoplasia)

Question 15

Describe the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis

Answer 15

• damage to articular cartilage: aberrant repair causes degradation
• altered subchondral bone metabolism
• periarticular osteophytosis
• synovial inflammation

Question 16

What are the common radiographic signs seen with osteoarthritis?

Answer 16

• osteophytes
• effusion
• increased or decreased joint space
• soft tissue swelling
• subchondral sclerosis

Question 17

What are the possible medical treatments of osteoarthritis?

Answer 17

• weight management
• exercise moderation
• physical therapy
• analgesics
• disease-modifying agents
• neutraceuticals

Question 18

What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs?

Answer 18

reduce pro-inflammatory mediators by inhibiting COX

Question 19

What is the main mechanism of disease-modifying agents?

Answer 19

promote synthesis over breakdown of cartilage

Question 20

What is the MOA and effects of glucosamine/chondroitin?

Answer 20

• stimulate proteoglycan synthesis of hyaline cartilage

- anti-inflammatory

Question 21

What is the MOA of omega-3 fatty acids?

Answer 21

compete with arachidonic acid as a substrate for COX

- produce less pro-inflammatory mediators

Question 22

What is the MOA and effects of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables?

Answer 22

• anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoarthritic
• decrease inflammatory mediators
• increase cartilage matrix synthesis

Question 23

What is osteochondrosis?

Answer 23

defect in endochondrial ossification

Question 24

Describe endochondrial ossification

Answer 24

• the process by which epiphyseal cartilage becomes bone
• starts from epiphyseal center of ossification
• travels outward in ossification wave
• anastomosis forms between perichondral plexus and epiphyseal bone supply

Question 25

Describe the pathophysiology of osteochondrosis

Answer 25

- disruptions in anastomosis leads to cartilage necrosis - necrosis blocks ossification wave - cartilage thickens

Question 26

What is osteochondrosis dissecans?

Answer 26

- a flap of cartilage is lifted from the articular surface | - necrotic cartilage induces repair

Question 27

What is meant by "biphasic presentation" in regards to OCD?

Answer 27

- initially and in young animals, pain is due to inflammation - later and in mature animals, pain is due to DJD

Question 28

What are the predisposing factors for OCD?

Answer 28

- genetics/hereditary (not alone): males, large breeds - high vitamin D/calcium - high dietary energy - trauma

Question 29

What is the difference between microtrauma and macrotrauma?

Answer 29

micro - normal weight-bearing stress | macro - athletic, high impact stress

Question 30

Which joints are more commonly affected by OCD?

Answer 30

shoulder - CdL humeral head elbow - M humeral condyle hock - M/L talar ride stifle - M/L femoral condyle

Question 31

What are the indications for conservative treatment of OCD?

Answer 31

- small lesion - young patient - clinically silent or mild lameness - poor surgical outcome

Question 32

What are the possible surgical treatments of OCD?

Answer 32

- fragment removal and subchondral bone debridement - replacement of articular cartilage with fibrocartilage - osteochrondral transplants