Arthritis & Other Connective Tissue Diseases

Rheumatology  Connective tissue disease (CTD) major focus  Non-inflammatory or inflammatory  Rheumatic disease = any disease/ condition involving musculoskeletal system  Arthritis = inflammation of one or more joints  Non-inflammatory localized arthritis (osteoarthritis) is not systemic, not an autoimmune disease  Inflammatory arthritis: o Rheumatoid arthritis o Systemic lupus erythematosus o Autoimmune disease Joint Changes in Degenerative Joint Disease Osteoarthritis  Most common arthritis type  Progressive loss of cartilage  Joint pain, loss of function characterized by progressive deterioration  Osteophytes (bone spurs)  Cartilage disintegrates, bone and cartilage “float” into joint causing crepitus Collaborative Management:  History o Usually older than 60 years  Physical assessment/clinical manifestations: o Joint pain and stiffness o Crepitus o Heberden's nodes o Bouchard’s nodes o Joint effusions o Atrophy of skeletal muscle