. M1 - Compare how disorders of the musculoskeletal system can
affect how muscles bring about movement of joints and the
importance of corrective treatment.
Arthritis
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are disorders of the joints, bones and muscles. The term
musculoskeletal condition is often used to include a broad range of health conditions, including back
pain and osteoarthritis, along with rarer systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus and
rheumatoid arthritis.
The first group is inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system
attacks and destroys the joints and sometimes the internal organs. These conditions are usually
treated in hospitals by specialist rheumatologists and require drug treatments as well as access to
allied health professionals such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Primary care has an
important role to play too, including monitoring of blood tests for shared care prescribing and in
management of cardiovascular and fracture risk.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive condition that can impair people's ability to plan their lives.
People living with rheumatoid arthritis often talk about 'flare ups' where the condition is at its most
painful. A third of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis will have stopped work within two
years of onset. The leading cause of death for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is cardiovascular
disease (CVD) - the increased CVD risk is equivalent to the increased risk seen in diabetes mellitus.
Osteoarthritis
The second group includes conditions of musculoskeletal pain such as osteoarthritis, back pain and
fibromyalgia. In osteoarthritis there is painful wear and degeneration of joints. These conditions are
normally treated in primary care, affect large numbers of people, and management usually involves
physical activity and pain management. Severe cases of osteoarthritis can result in the need for joint
replacement, which can give people back their mobility.
Over five million people in the UK live with osteoarthritis of the hand. Women are twice as likely to
experience this painful condition that limits the ability to perform every day activities.
Figure 21:
21
, Osteoarthritis most commonly affects three parts of the hand:
The base of the thumb, where the thumb and wrist join
The joint closest to the fingertip
The middle joint of a finger
Osteoarthritis usually occurs later in life, with no specific cause. But several factors can play a role,
including:
Age: the older you are, the more likely you are to have hand Osteoarthritis.
Gender: women are more likely to be affected than men.
Weight: obese people are more likely to have hand Osteoarthritis than thinner people.
Genes: some people inherit the tendency to develop Osteoarthritis, usually at a younger age.
Injuries: Even when properly treated, an injured joint is more likely to develop Osteoarthritis over
time. Fractures and dislocations are among the most common injuries that lead to arthritis.
Joint issues: Joint infections, overuse, loose ligaments and poorly aligned joints can also lead to hand
or wrist arthritis.
Symptoms:
At first, pain will come and go. It worsens with use and eases with rest. Morning pain
and stiffness are typical. As the arthritis advances, the pain becomes more constant and
may change from a dull ache to a sharp pain. It may start waking you up at night.
Stiffness and loss of motion: As arthritis progresses, you may lose the ability to open
and close your fingers completely.
Swelling: Your body may respond to constant irritation and damage to the
tissues surrounding the joint by swelling and becoming red and tender to the
touch.
Weakness: The combination of joint pain, loss of motion and joint deformity can leave your
hands weak. Activities that once were easy, such as opening a jar or starting the car,
become difficult.
Treatment:
22
affect how muscles bring about movement of joints and the
importance of corrective treatment.
Arthritis
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are disorders of the joints, bones and muscles. The term
musculoskeletal condition is often used to include a broad range of health conditions, including back
pain and osteoarthritis, along with rarer systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus and
rheumatoid arthritis.
The first group is inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system
attacks and destroys the joints and sometimes the internal organs. These conditions are usually
treated in hospitals by specialist rheumatologists and require drug treatments as well as access to
allied health professionals such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Primary care has an
important role to play too, including monitoring of blood tests for shared care prescribing and in
management of cardiovascular and fracture risk.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive condition that can impair people's ability to plan their lives.
People living with rheumatoid arthritis often talk about 'flare ups' where the condition is at its most
painful. A third of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis will have stopped work within two
years of onset. The leading cause of death for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is cardiovascular
disease (CVD) - the increased CVD risk is equivalent to the increased risk seen in diabetes mellitus.
Osteoarthritis
The second group includes conditions of musculoskeletal pain such as osteoarthritis, back pain and
fibromyalgia. In osteoarthritis there is painful wear and degeneration of joints. These conditions are
normally treated in primary care, affect large numbers of people, and management usually involves
physical activity and pain management. Severe cases of osteoarthritis can result in the need for joint
replacement, which can give people back their mobility.
Over five million people in the UK live with osteoarthritis of the hand. Women are twice as likely to
experience this painful condition that limits the ability to perform every day activities.
Figure 21:
21
, Osteoarthritis most commonly affects three parts of the hand:
The base of the thumb, where the thumb and wrist join
The joint closest to the fingertip
The middle joint of a finger
Osteoarthritis usually occurs later in life, with no specific cause. But several factors can play a role,
including:
Age: the older you are, the more likely you are to have hand Osteoarthritis.
Gender: women are more likely to be affected than men.
Weight: obese people are more likely to have hand Osteoarthritis than thinner people.
Genes: some people inherit the tendency to develop Osteoarthritis, usually at a younger age.
Injuries: Even when properly treated, an injured joint is more likely to develop Osteoarthritis over
time. Fractures and dislocations are among the most common injuries that lead to arthritis.
Joint issues: Joint infections, overuse, loose ligaments and poorly aligned joints can also lead to hand
or wrist arthritis.
Symptoms:
At first, pain will come and go. It worsens with use and eases with rest. Morning pain
and stiffness are typical. As the arthritis advances, the pain becomes more constant and
may change from a dull ache to a sharp pain. It may start waking you up at night.
Stiffness and loss of motion: As arthritis progresses, you may lose the ability to open
and close your fingers completely.
Swelling: Your body may respond to constant irritation and damage to the
tissues surrounding the joint by swelling and becoming red and tender to the
touch.
Weakness: The combination of joint pain, loss of motion and joint deformity can leave your
hands weak. Activities that once were easy, such as opening a jar or starting the car,
become difficult.
Treatment:
22
