Arthritis It is an inflammation of a joint characterized by pain, swelling and limitation of joint movement. Arthralgia :it is a painful joint without any associated signs of inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis RA is a symmetrical destructive and deforming polyarthritis affecting the small & large joints with associated systemic disturbance, variety of extra- articular features and the presence of circulating anti-globulin antibody. Incidence : -female >male (3:1) -high incidence at age 20-40 years -genetic predisposition (HLA DR4 and DR1)
Criteria for the diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis Morning stiffness (>1 hr). Arthritis of three or more joint areas. Arthritis of hand joints. Symmetrical arthritis. Rheumatoid nodules. Radiological changes. Duration of 6 wks or more. -diagnosis of RA is made with four or more criteria.
Symptoms Insidious onset (70%): In majority of patients the onset is insidious with joint pain,stiffness and symmetrical swelling of peripheral joints Initially pain is only on movement,then rest pain and early morning stiffness are characteristic. First affect the small joints of the fingers & toes then wrist,elbow,shoulder ,knee e.t.c are involved ii.Acute onset (15%) acute polyarthritis with morning stiffness & pitting oedema . iii.Systemic onset (10%) insidious onset with fever,wt.loss , profound fatigue. iv.Palindromic (5%) recurrent acute episode of joint pain & swelling which last only for few hours or days.
Signs Swelling: by effusion,synovial proliferation. -swelling by proximal interpharayngeal joint:spindle appearance. -swelling by the meta- tarsophalangeal joint :broadening of forefoot. Warmth Tenderness Limitation of movement due to muscle atrophy:tendon sheath and joint destruction. Joint instability Deformities :swan neck deformity,buttonniere deformity,Z -deformity of the thumb,muscle wasting.
Z- deformity of thumb
In the forefoot( sublaxation by metatarso phalangeal joint is followed by- -clawing of the toes. -callosities over the exposed metatarsal heads. -painful sensation by walking on pebbles. - calcaneal erosion. Nodules Popliteal cysts or baker’s cyst.
Investigation To establish diagnosis : Clinical criteria Markers of inflammation Serological test :RA test, ANA test, rose waaler test. Radiographs: peripheral osteoporosis & fluid loss of joint spaces. Synovial analysis To document of pathological changes : radiographs,occasionally-arthrography,scintigraphy,USG,CT,MRI . To monitor disease activity in response to therapy : Pain Early morning stiffness Joint tenderness ESR,acute phase protien (CRP) Hb %
iv. To assess progression of disease: by Radiographs Functional assesment To monitor for safety of drug therapy : Haematology Urine analysis Biochemistry.
Management General management of the active phase: Physical rest Anti-inflammatory drugs Maintenance exercises Local measures Rest splints Intra- articular :corticosteroids inj. methyl- prednisolone acetate (20-80 mg :large joints, 4-10 mg:small joints ) or triamcinolone . NSAIDs: Low risk : ibuprofen - <1600 mg/day Average risk : indomethacin 75-150 mg/day piroxicam 10-30 mg/day diclofenac 75-150 mg/day High risk azapropazone : 1200-1800 mg/day
D. Disease modifying drugs : Chloroquine phosphate Sulphasalazine Methotrexate Gold salts : Na aurothiomalate Oral gold : auranofin Penicillamine Prednisolone . E. immunomodultion : Azathioprine oral Cyclophosphamide oral Cyclosporin oral F.Immunotherapy G.Other measures : Medical synovectomy :by osmic acid or radiocolloid 90 ytrium Surgery : synovectomy,osteotomy,arthodesis,arthoplasty .
osteoarthritis Is the most common form of degenerative joint disease characterized by degeneration of cartilage and hypertrophy of bone at the articular margins .
Types Primary osteoarthritis :common form where no predisposing factors are present.it occurs in old age mainly in weight bearing joints.in generalize variety,the trapezio -metacarpal joint of the thumb and the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers are also affected.
Secondary osteoarthritis : less common,there is an underlying primary disease of the joint which leads to the degeneration of the joints,occurs commonly at hip joint.
The Predisposing Factors are Congenital maldevelopment of a joint Irregularity of the joint surface from previous trauma. Previous disease of gout: gout, septic arthritis Metabolic disorder: haemochromatosis,hyperparathyroidism . Neurological disorder: tabes dorsalis Obesity Bow legs Most common joint to be affected is the knee, second most common site for OA is the thumb base.
Clinical Features Symptoms : Insidious onset of joint stiffness Deep, aching pain, which worsens with repetitive movement Swelling of the joint Feeling of instability of joint and locking of joint.
On examination : -tenderness on the joint line -crepitus on moving the joint -irregular and enlarged joint -joint deformity -restriction of range of motion -joint effusion and swelling -wasting of muscles
Investigation X-ray of affected joint: Narrowing of the joint space due to loss of cartilage. Osteosclerosis and bone cysts. Osteophyte . Other investigation : CBC,Hb%,ESR,C-reactive protien . Serum uric acid . Arthoscopy .
Diagnosis : clinical features + radiological findings Methods of treatment : Supportive treatment : weight reduction in an obese patient Avoidance of stress and strain to the affected joint Local heat provides relief of pain and stiffness Exercise for building up the muscles controlling the joint help in providing the stability of the joint.
osteoarthritis Rheumatiod arthritis Degenerative disease of joint Non- suppurative inflammatory disease of joint Age : elderly Age : middle Degeneration of articulating cartilage Proliferation of synovial membrane Weight bearing joints knee, hips and spine mainly involved asymmetrical Small hand joints are involved symmetrical Systemic features absent Systemic features present Rheumatiod nodules negative RA factor + ve Worsen on movement Improves on movement ESR , Hb normal ESR raised,Hb decreased No role of steroid therapy and no use of gold and cytotoxic agent. role of steroid therapy and use of gold and cytotoxic agent.