Question

Describe to me the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options for Osteoarthritis. What education will you provide to patients about interventions to keep their joints healthy as long as possible?

Answer 1

OSTEOARTHRITIS affects more than 32.5 million US adults and is most common form of arthritis.
It is a slowly progressing, non systemic and non inflammatory disease characterized by wear and tear of joints.

ETIOLOGY-
•primary osteoarthritis is idiopathic.
•secondary -
✓ trauma
✓ metabolic disorders like rickets
✓ endocrine disorders like acromegaly, hyperuricemia,etc
✓ occupations which stresses the joints like athletes.

PATHOGENESIS - still not understood well
✓ caused due to imbalance in the rate of formation and breakdown of cartilage in the joint.
✓ disease is initiated by the degradation of cartilage within joints. This degradation then progresses slowly over years to manifest clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS -
•pain and swelling of joints.
•joint stiffness
•decreased range of motion.
•permanent knee pain in severe cases.

TREATMENT - no cure is available for osteoarthritis.
✓ treatment focuses on reducing existing symptoms and slowing down disease progression.
✓measures used -
• analgesics such as acetaminophen ; corticosteroid injections,etc
• physiotherapy
• orthopaedic aids
• surgery in severe cases ( joint replacement, arthroplasty,etc)

PATIENT EDUCATION -
• lifestyle modifications need to be adopted, for eg - an athlete must be told to use proper equipments and shock absorbers while practicing.
• weight loss ,if the patient is overweight
• increasing physical activity
• may use support like a cane, if his joints are really bad.