Osteoarthritis: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management of osteoarthritis as described in the lecture notes.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear that leads to damage of articular cartilage and inflammation of the synovial membrane.

Articular cartilage

Smooth hyaline cartilage at the ends of bones in a joint that becomes damaged in OA, reducing smooth movement.

Synovial joint

A joint enclosed by a capsule with a synovial membrane and fluid that lubricates movement; affected in OA.

Chondrocyte

Cartilage cell that produces and maintains the cartilage matrix.

Fibrillation

Vertical cracks in cartilage that extend toward the underlying bone during OA progression.

Clefts

Deep fissures in cartilage that can reach the subchondral bone in OA.

Denuding of the bone

Loss of cartilage that exposes the underlying subchondral bone.

Subchondral bone

Bone just below the cartilage; it becomes sclerotic and involved in OA changes.

Osteophyte

Bone spur at the edge of a joint formed during OA, often contributing to pain.

Joint mice

Fragments of bone or cartilage that float freely within the joint space.

Crepitus

Grating or crackling sound or sensation during joint movement in OA.

Idiopathic OA

Osteoarthritis with no identifiable cause, often related to aging, genetics, or wear and tear.

Risk factors for OA

Factors like age, obesity, malalignment, joint injury, and genetic predisposition that increase OA risk.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines

Inflammatory mediators that contribute to cartilage breakdown in OA.

Nitric oxide

Molecule produced in OA that can contribute to chondrocyte death and cartilage degeneration.

Chondrocyte apoptosis

Programmed death of cartilage cells leading to cartilage loss.

Cartilage degradation

Breakdown of cartilage matrix with reduced collagen and proteoglycan production.

Diagnosis of OA

Primarily diagnosed by X-ray; MRI may show extent; CT helps assess surrounding structures; arthroscopy can be diagnostic and therapeutic.

Management of OA

Pain relief and function improvement through NSAIDs, paracetamol, capsaicin, non‑weight bearing exercise, corticosteroid injections, and sometimes joint replacement.

Capsaicin

Topical chili‑based analgesic used to help OA pain; avoid transferring to sensitive areas (e.g., eyes, face).

Glucosamine vs. chondroitin

Supplements often discussed; chondroitin supports cartilage; glucosamine alone is not effective for OA.