Osteoarthritis
OA is classified as this type of joint disease.
What is non-inflammatory joint disease?
The primary goal of RA treatment is to do this.
What is reduce pain/inflammation and preserve function?
Gout is this type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition.
What is inflammatory arthritis?
This type of arthritis is autoimmune, inflammatory, and associated with skin plaques.
What is psoriatic arthritis?
A patient with back pain and this history should raise suspicion for spinal fracture.
What is a fall?
These bony enlargements occur at the DIP joints and PIP in OA.
What are Heberden’s nodes - DIP, and What are Heberden’s nodes - PIP
This drug is the gold standard Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) for RA.
What is methotrexate?
Gout typically presents with this type of joint involvement in acute attacks.
What is monoarticular (affects only one joint) arthritis (75% of cases)?
Septic arthritis typically presents as this type of joint pattern.
What is acute monoarticular (one joint) arthritis (swollen, warm, painful joint)?
New bowel or bladder incontinence with back pain may indicate this emergency.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
This should always be first-line therapy in OA.
What is non-pharmacologic therapy (weight loss, exercise, activity modification)?
Rheumatoid nodules are most commonly found here.
What are extensor surfaces (e.g., elbows, fingers)?
The gold standard for gout diagnosis is this procedure.
What is joint aspiration showing uric acid crystals?
This is the gold standard for diagnosing septic arthritis.
What is synovial fluid aspiration and culture?
The first-line pharmacologic treatment for acute low back pain.
What are NSAIDs?
If an OA patient is taking oral NSAIDs and develops fatigue, this lab should be checked.
What is CBC (to rule out GI bleed)?
Early erosive changes in RA are best detected with this imaging modality.
What is MRI or ultrasound?
Besides joint pain, patients with acute gout may experience these systemic symptoms.
What are fever, chills, malaise, or anorexia?
First-line pharmacologic therapy, and DMARD therapy for PsA include?
What are NSAIDs (naproxen, celecoxib) and methotrexate?
Long-term use of this class of medication increases risk for vertebral fracture.
What are corticosteroids?
This medication should be avoided in OA due to low efficacy and hepatotoxicity risk.
What is acetaminophen?
Before starting biologics like TNF-α inhibitors, patients must be screened for this infection.
What is tuberculosis?
First-line therapy for acute gout if no PUD or CKD.
What are NSAIDs?
Septic arthritis requires not only antibiotics but also this urgent procedure.
What is joint drainage (often surgical)?
New back pain with fever, IV drug use, or immunocompromise suggests this diagnosis.
What is spinal infection (vertebral osteomyelitis)?
In OA, inflammatory labs like ESR and CRP are typically this.
What is negative/normal?
This supplement should be given with methotrexate to prevent toxicity.
What is folic acid (folate)?
This medication is effective if started within 36 hours but has GI side effects.
What is colchicine?
Septic arthritis can mimic this crystal arthropathy, making aspiration essential.
What is gout?
Back pain in a patient with a history of breast, lung, or prostate cancer raises concern for this
What are spinal metastases?