Joints Disorders

JOINT DISORDERS

Bunion

  • An enlarged bursa at the base of the big toe.
  • **Cause: ** Wearing tight or poorly fitting shoes.
  • The joint becomes thickened and bent and is often inflamed.
  • Visual Example:
    • End stage bunion condition related to the Ankle & Foot Clinics NW (2009).

Sprains

  • Results from stretched or torn ligaments in a joint.
  • Joints are built to withstand tough treatment; however, if forced beyond normal movement, a sprain occurs.
  • Ligaments have a poor blood supply, leading to slow healing.

Dislocation

  • Definition: Occurs when bones are forced out of their normal position.
  • Ligaments are often torn during dislocation.
  • Comparison:
    • Normal Finger vs. Dislocated Finger (Appearance):
    • Normal finger remains straight and unswollen.
    • Dislocated finger appears crooked and swollen.

Arthritis

  • Affects the joints.
  • Prevalence: Strikes every three women in South Africa.
  • General term covering over 100 different diseases and disorders that make joints painful, stiff, and swollen.
Osteoarthritis
  • Occurs typically after the age of 50.
  • Risk Factors:
    • Family history.
  • Pathophysiology:
    • Cartilage cushioning bones softens and wears away.
    • Bones rub against one another, causing pain and stiffness.
  • Most common type of arthritis.
  • Also referred to as ‘wear & tear’ arthritis.
Visual Representation
  • Bone and Cartilage Diagram:
    • Thinning Cartilage leads to Bone on Bone contact.
    • Result: Destruction of Cartilage (specifically in Knee Osteoarthritis).

Chronic Inflammatory Disorder

  • Characterized by the synovial membrane becoming thickened and inflamed.
  • Excess production of synovial fluid leads to joint swelling.

Gout

  • Description: Gout is a disease caused by an overload of uric acid in the body.
  • Consequences of Uric Acid Overload:
    • Formation of tiny crystals of urate that deposit in tissues, especially joints.
    • Results in recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis).
  • Chronic gout may lead to:
    • Hard lumps of uric acid deposits (known as tophi) in and around joints.
    • Potential joint destruction, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones.
Components Involved in Gout
  • **Key Terms: **
    • Bone erosions.
    • Urate crystals in a tophus.
  • Related anatomical structure: Synovium.

References

  • LA 15 pg 63-67: Read through Joint replacements; only questions 2 need to be answered, skipping question 1.