Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder of the synovial joints (eg, knee, hip, fingers) that causes progressive erosion of the articular (joint) cartilage and bone beneath the cartilage. As the degenerative process continues, bone spurs (osteophytes), calcifications, and ulcerations develop within the joint space, and the "cushion" between the ends of the bones breaks down.
Clinical manifestations of OA of the knee include:
- Pain exacerbated by weight-bearing activities: Results from synovial inflammation, muscle spasm, and nerve irritation (Option 4)
- Crepitus, a grating noise or sensation with movement that can be heard or palpated: Results from the presence of bone and cartilage fragments that float in the joint space (Option 1)
- Morning stiffness that subsides within 30 minutes of arising (Option 3)
- Decreased joint mobility and range of motion
- Atrophy of the muscles that support the joint (eg, quadriceps, hamstring) due to disuse
(Option 2) Low-grade fever develops as part of systemic inflammation. OA is typically a noninflammatory, nonsystemic disorder. Occasional OA inflammation is limited to affected joints.
(Option 5) Serum rheumatoid factor is positive in clients with systemic rheumatoid arthritis. No diagnostic laboratory tests or biomarkers exist for OA.
Educational objective:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder of the synovial joints that leads to progressive erosion of the articular (joint) cartilage. Clinical manifestations include pain exacerbated by weight-bearing, crepitus, morning stiffness subsiding within 30 minutes, decreased joint mobility and range of motion, and atrophy of supporting muscles.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder of the synovial joints (eg, knee, hip, fingers) that causes progressive erosion of the articular (joint) cartilage and bone beneath the cartilage. As the degenerative process continues, bone spurs (osteophytes), calcifications, and ulcerations develop within the joint space, and the "cushion" between the ends of the bones breaks down.
Clinical manifestations of OA of the knee include:
- Pain exacerbated by weight-bearing activities: Results from synovial inflammation, muscle spasm, and nerve irritation (Option 4)
- Crepitus, a grating noise or sensation with movement that can be heard or palpated: Results from the presence of bone and cartilage fragments that float in the joint space (Option 1)
- Morning stiffness that subsides within 30 minutes of arising (Option 3)
- Decreased joint mobility and range of motion
- Atrophy of the muscles that support the joint (eg, quadriceps, hamstring) due to disuse
(Option 2) Low-grade fever develops as part of systemic inflammation. OA is typically a noninflammatory, nonsystemic disorder. Occasional OA inflammation is limited to affected joints.
(Option 5) Serum rheumatoid factor is positive in clients with systemic rheumatoid arthritis. No diagnostic laboratory tests or biomarkers exist for OA.
Educational objective:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder of the synovial joints that leads to progressive erosion of the articular (joint) cartilage. Clinical manifestations include pain exacerbated by weight-bearing, crepitus, morning stiffness subsiding within 30 minutes, decreased joint mobility and range of motion, and atrophy of supporting muscles.