Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

11. Orthopaedics > Other Types of Arthritis > Flashcards

Other Types of Arthritis Flashcards

(40 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Other than rheumatoid, list 4 other types of arthritis.

A

Septic arthritis
Crystal arthropathy
Reactive arthritis
Degenerative arthritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the clinical features of septic arthritis. (6)

A

Signs of infection:

  • Pain
  • Fever
  • Swollen joint
  • Loss of function

Only one joint affected
Associated with preceding infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

List 3 common causative organisms in septic arthritis.

List 4 less common causative organisms.

A

COMMON ORGANISMS:
Staph aureus
Neisseria gonorrhoea
Haemophilus influenza

LESS COMMON:
TB
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdoferi)
Brucellosis
Syphilis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

List 2 risk factors for septic arthritis.

A

Steroid use

Rheumatoid arthritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

List 4 routes of infection which can cause septic arthritis.

A

Haematogenous (from systemic infection)
From adjacent osteomyelitis
From skin/soft tissue
Disruption of the joint capsule (e.g. injection, trauma)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of septic arthritis. (2)

A
  1. Infection within the joint causes inflammation
  2. Synovium becomes inflamed with the formation of a fibrin exudate (containing many neutrophils)
    a. This causes fibrin deposits on joint surface
    b. This leads to loss of articular cartilage
    c. This causes secondary osteoarthritis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which investigations would you do for septic arthritis? (4)

A

Joint aspirate microbiology:

  • Gram staining
  • Aspirate culture

Blood tests:

  • FBC (increased WCC)
  • Blood cultures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the 2 types of crystal arthropathy?

A

Gout

Pseudo-gout

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define gout.

A

Defective purine metabolism, causing an excess of uric acid and its salts to accumulate in the bloodstream and joints

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe the clinical features of gout. Consider:

a) Acute gout (2)
b) Chronic gout (2)

A

ACUTE:
Acute inflammation of joint
Monoarthritis

CHRONIC:
Tophi in skin/cartilage (especially ears)
Joint destruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the usual distribution of gout. (2)

A

Monoarthritis

Often MTP joint of big toe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

List 5 factors which might precipitate an acute gout attack.

A 
Trauma
Surgery
Starvation
Infection
Diuretic use
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is gout caused by? (11)

A

Excess levels of uric acid, e.g.

  • Age
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol abuse
  • High protein diet
  • Diabetes mellitus

Primary causes, e.g.

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Secondary causes, e.g.

  • Myeloproliferative disorders
  • Leukaemia
  • Thiazide diuretics
  • Chronic renal disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What investigations would you do for gout? (4)

A

Bloods:

  • Serum urate levels
  • U&Es

Joint aspirate:
-Polarised light microscopy

X-ray

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

In gout, what would you see on polarised light microscopy? (1)

What would you see on x-ray? (2)

A

MICROSCOPY:
Negatively birefringent needle-shaped crystals

X-RAY:
Soft tissue swelling
Punched out juxta-articular swellings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How would treat an acute attack of gout? (3)

A

NSAIDs (high dose), e.g.

  • Colchicine
  • Corticosteroids

Rest
Elevate affected joint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How would you treat chronic gout, to prevent recurrent acute attacks?

Study These Flashcards
A

Lifestyle changes, e.g.

  • Weight loss
  • Better diet

Prophylactic drugs, e.g.

  • Allopurinol
  • Probenecid
18
Q

List 3 side effects of allopurinol.

List 2 important features to remember when prescribing it.

Study These Flashcards
A

Rash
Fever
Decreased WCC

IMPORTANT INFO:

  • Do NOT give in acute attack (wait at least 3 weeks)
  • Cover with NSAIDs/colchicine for first 6 weeks to prevent acute attack
19
Q

What kind of drug is probenecid?

What is it used for? Describe its mechanism of action.

Study These Flashcards
A

Uricosuric agent

INDICATIONS: gout

MECHANISM OF ACTION: increases secretion of uric acid into urine

20
Q

Define pseudo-gout. What is another name for it?

Study These Flashcards
A

Joint pain and swelling, resembling gout, caused by crystals of calcium pyrophosphate in the synovial membrane and fluid

Calcium pyrophsphate deposition (CPPD)

21
Q

What can cause pseudo-gout? (3)

Study These Flashcards
A

Primary causes:

  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Hypophosphataemia

Secondary causes:
-Haemochromatosis

22
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of pseudo-gout. (2)

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. Synovium becomes inflamed
  2. Calcium pyrophosphate is deposited in the joint, which may cause:
    a. Chondrocalcinosis
    b. Calcification of extra-articular tissues
23
Q

What investigations would you do in pseudo-gout? (5)

Study These Flashcards
A

Bloods:

  • U&Es
  • Phosphate levels
  • PTH levels

Joint aspirate:
-Polarised light microscopy

X-ray

24
Q

In pseudo-gout, what would you see on polarised light microscopy? (1)

What would you see on x-ray? (2)

Study These Flashcards
A

MICROSCOPY:
Positively birefringent rhomboid shaped crystals

X-RAY:
Chondrocalcinosis of:
-Meniscal fibrocartilage
-Articular hyaline cartilage

25
How would you treat pseudo-gout? (3)
Aspiration NSAIDs Colchicine
26
Define reactive arthritis.
Sterile synovitis which occurs following an infection
27
List 6 common causes of reactive arthritis.
Cross-reactivity after bacterial infection, e.g. - Salmonella infection - Shigella - Yersinia - Chlamydia trachomatis Specific types of infection, e.g. - Urethritis - Diarrhoea Genetic predisposition, e.g. -HLA B27
28
Describe the clinical features of reactive arthritis. (2) List 3 associated features.
Acute, asymmetrical lower limb arthritis Occurs days-weeks after infection ASSOCIATED FEATURES: Enthesitis (tendon inflammation) Sacroiliitis Keratoderma blenorrhagica
29
What is keratoderma blenorrhagica? What type of arthropathy is it seen in?
Skin lesions commonly found on palms/soles, resembling psoriasis, appearing as a waxy yellow-brown vesicopustular lesion Seen in: reactive arthritis
30
List 3 complications of reactive arthritis.
Aortic regurgitation Aortitis Amyloidosis
31
List 1 type of reactive arthritis. What condition is this associated with?
Enteropathic arthritis Associated with: IBD
32
How would you manage reactive arthritis? (3)
Analgesia (e.g. NSAIDs) Intra-articular steroids Treatment of underlying condition (if needed)
33
What is Reiter's syndrome? What type of arthritis is it associated with?
Reiter's syndrome = arthritis + urethritis + conjunctivitis Seen in: reactive arthritis
34
Define osteoarthritis.
Degenerative joint disease
35
Describe the clinical features of osteoarthritis. (3)
Pain Stiffness Commonly affects weight-bearing joints
36
Describe the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. (3)
1. Loss of articular cartilage leads to exposure of underlying bone a. Formation of subchondral cysts b. Formation of osteophytes 2. Synovium becomes hyperplastic, with mild inflammation 3. Synovium will also contain bony detritus
37
List 11 causes of osteoarthritis. Consider: a) Primary OA (2) b) Secondary OA (9)
PRIMARY: Age Wear and tear ``` SECONDARY: Fractures Previous sepsis RA Osteonecrosis Congenital diaphragmatic hernia Gout Haemochromatosis Ochronosis Peripheral neuropathy ```
38
What investigations would you do for OA? (1)
X-ray
39
In OA, which features would you see on x-ray? (4)
LOSS: Loss of joint space Osteophytes Subchondral sclerosis Subchondral cysts
40
How would you manage OA? (7)
``` Exercise Weight loss Physiotherapy Analgesia (paracetamol and NSAIDs) Topical capsaicin Intra-articular steroid injection Surgical joint replacement ```

11. Orthopaedics (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions