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Rheumatology > Osteoarthritis > Flashcards

Flashcards in Osteoarthritis Deck (11)
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1
Q

What is the male:female ratio of OA?

A

M 3:1 F

2
Q

What are the most common joints affected?

A

Knee, hip

3
Q

What is the pattern of disease of OA?

A

Most commonly it is localised and asymmetrical

4
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of OA?

A
  • Pain on movement
  • Crepitus
  • Worse at the end of the day
  • Background pain at rest
  • Joint ‘gelling’ (stiffness after rest of up to 30 mins)
  • Joint instability
5
Q

What are the features of generalised OA?

A
  • Heberden’s nodes (Nodal OA most commonly seen in post menopausal women)
  • Commonly affects the DIP joints, thumb carpometacarpal joints and knees
  • Joint tenderness and bony swelling (Heberden’s nodes at DIP, Bouchard’s nodes at PIP)
  • Reduced range of movement and synovitis
6
Q

What might you see on a plain radiograph?

A

“LOSS”

  • ‘L’oss of joint space
  • ‘O’steophytes
  • ‘S’ubarticular sclerosis
  • ‘S’ubchondral cysts

CRP may be slightly raised

7
Q

What are the core treatments of OA?

A

1) Exercise - improves local muscle strength and general fitness (irrespective of age)
2) Weight loss if overweight

8
Q

What type of analgesia is normally offered?

A

1) Regular paracetamol +/- topical NSAIDS
2) If this is ineffective, consider codeine or short term oral NSAID (+PPI)
3) Topica capsaicin
4) Intra-articular steroid injections
5) Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections

9
Q

What are the non-pharmacological treatments of OA?

A

Multidisciplinary approach using physiotherapists and Occupational therapists.

10
Q

What is the definitive treatment for severe OA that affects quality of life?

A

Joint-replacement surgery!

11
Q

For information about prescribing NSAIDs, see pharmacology section

A

:)