Musculoskeletal-Disorders

What is osteoarthritis?

is the chronic inflammatory degeneration of joint cartilage (hyaline) and underlying subchondral bone.

What is the most common form of arthritis in adults?

Osteoarthritis

Fill in the blanks regarding osteoarthritis:

Equal incidence is sexes until ; post menopausal females face ___

• 55

• elevated risk (“Estrogen is anti-inflammatory, and its receptors are all over the whole body, including your muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments,” says Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Duke University. “So, if its levels are going down, the bones and joints aren’t seeing as much estrogen, and this withdrawal could increase [joint pain] in the hands, shoulders and knees — really any joint.”)

What is the cause of osteoarthritis?

Unknown, but driven by factors.

What are factors that drive osteoarthritis?

Aging tissues, cumulative mechanical loading (lifting heavy things), obesity.

Why does obesity increase the chance someone might have osteoarthritis?

The extra weight, puts pressure on the joints.

Is this a picture of a ____ joint.

Healthy

This is a picture of a ____ joint

Degeneration.

underlying cause of this condition is typically chronic repetitive motion that results in inflammation and structural joint damage. 

This is a ___ joint

Hypertrophy.

What is a good explanation of a hypertrophy joint?

Reparative bone peripheral spurs (osteophytes) and bone sclerosis.

What is the timeline of the signs and clinical presentation of osteoarthritis?

1- Onset. Slowly progressive deep aching pain over years.

2. Aching during weather changes and stiffness.( WHY WEATHER?- less air pressure surrounding the body can allow muscles, tendons, and other tissues around joints to expand. This can place pressure on joints, possibly leading to pain.)

3. Crepitiation (bones grinding on each other)

4. Minimal deformity

What are diagnostic modalities for osteoarthritis? What do they show?

• Plain x-rays and MRI

• Revel Hallmark asymmetric joint spaces narrowing, subchondral sclerosis and osteophytes.

• MRI- elevates early soft tissues cartilaginous defects.

What is the goal for Osteoarthritis medical therapy?

Relieve pain, diminish inflammation, and

preserve joint mobility.

What are therapeutic modalities for osteoarthritis? What’s their purpose?

NSAIDs -They control inflammatory flare ups.

viscosupplementation- injects hyaluronic

acid substitutes.

What are therapies for osteoarthritis?

• Therapeutic Modalities

• Physical Therapy - quadriceps and stabilizer muscles strengthening

• Arthroplasty- Joint replacement surgery for

  refractory severe end-stage disease.

• Nutrition & Weight- Weight reduction unloads mechanical force; glucosamine supplementation supports matrix.

• Hydrotherapy- Low-impact exercise in warm water unweights joints and reduces muscle spasms.

• Integrative Relief - Acupuncture, biofeedback, and targeted medical massage modulate chronic pain pathways.

• Pacing & Rest - Balancing active biomechanics with planned rest prevents overloading fragile cartilage.

What is the clinical reality of course and prognosis for osteoarthritis?

• Varies upon site, severity

• Disability - minor or severe

What is the clinical reality of no cure for osteoarthritis?

Degenerated hyaline cartilage cannot regenerate naturally. Interventions target symptom control and functional preservation.