ORTHOPEDIC CERTIFICATION TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
CORRECT
Cartilage is made of - ANSWER-collagen and protein
Joint Cartilage is made of - ANSWER-extracellular matrix and chondrocytes
Extracellular matrix contains primarily - ANSWER-type 2, 4, and 6 collagens as well as
aggrecan proteoglycans
Type 2 collagen is responsible for - ANSWER-protecting the ends of bone within a joint
Aggrecan proteoglycan is mainly responsible for - ANSWER-retaining water molecules,
allowing resistance to affects of strenuous use of the joint
Chondrocytes within joint cartilage is responsible for - ANSWER-the strength and
resistance to loading
What is the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-when cartilage becomes
damaged it starts to lose elasticity, making it more susceptible to injury. With increasing
stress and wear the bone starts to become affected causing thickening of bone and
formation of bone spurs and osteophytes. Abnormal bone formations can break loose
with cartilage fragments and float within joint space. Debris cause synovium to mount
and inflammatory response to break down cartilaginous debris.
What does the inflammatory response during degeneration of cartilage increase? -
ANSWER-the breakdown of remaining healthy cartilage, leading to further degeneration
Osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-pain that is exacerbated with activity and better
with rest (early dz), stiffness, swelling, pain and stiffness worse in the morning (no more
than 30 min), pain worse with prolong inactivity or weather changes
Hip osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-pain in low back and groin, limping and knee
pain from compensation
How many injections can a single joint receive in a year? - ANSWER-no more than 3
What are some topical analgesics that are used in combo with other treatments? -
ANSWER-capsaicin cream (most studied), aspercreme, bengay, icy hot, flexall
, Where should topical analgesics not be applied? - ANSWER-to a break in the skin or
placed over a joint that is tightly occluded
What is viscosupplementation that is used for osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-involve series
of injections into joint over a weeks, reserved for cases where other treatments have
failed
What is viscosupplementation composed of? - ANSWER-hyaluronic acid, a substance
found in the body that gives synovial fluid thickness and cushion
What are the goals of viscosupplementation? - ANSWER-improbe lubrication of joints,
decrease pain and allow for increase mobility and activity
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-locking, cracking, grinding, "give out" feeling,
increasing pain with ascending and descending stairs
Finger osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-swelling, nodules, stiffness, difficulty
gripping
What are causes of secondary osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-joint injury (fracture or sprain),
chronic stress, joint instability, nervous system disorders (ex. charcot neuropathy),
blood and endocrine disorders (diabetes, gout, thyroid disorders, osteoarthritis, growth
hormone disorders), medications (oral steroids, meds for gout), inflammation (RA
causing secondary osteoarthritis)
What are diagnostic tests for osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-blood work to eliminate other
disorders such as RA and to establish base line and possible secondary osteoarthritis
diseases, X-rays, possible MRI, evaluation of synovial fluid
What is the most common and cost-efficient diagnostic test for osteoarthritis? -
ANSWER-x-ray
What would an x-ray show to diagnose osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-joint space
narrowing, bone spurs, osteophytes
What does synovial fluid of osteoarthritis look like? - ANSWER-straw colored, no more
than 2000 white blood cells, and synovial glucose should be equal to serum glucose
What are alternative treatments for osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-glucosamine, SAM-e
oral, copper and magnetic bracelets, acupuncture, tai chi, pilates, yoga, herbs, and
supplements
Modifiable risk factors for post op complications post total joint replacement are? -
ANSWER-smoking, obesity, malnutrition, heath and conditioning pre surgery, not
discontinuing meds meds pre surgery
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
CORRECT
Cartilage is made of - ANSWER-collagen and protein
Joint Cartilage is made of - ANSWER-extracellular matrix and chondrocytes
Extracellular matrix contains primarily - ANSWER-type 2, 4, and 6 collagens as well as
aggrecan proteoglycans
Type 2 collagen is responsible for - ANSWER-protecting the ends of bone within a joint
Aggrecan proteoglycan is mainly responsible for - ANSWER-retaining water molecules,
allowing resistance to affects of strenuous use of the joint
Chondrocytes within joint cartilage is responsible for - ANSWER-the strength and
resistance to loading
What is the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-when cartilage becomes
damaged it starts to lose elasticity, making it more susceptible to injury. With increasing
stress and wear the bone starts to become affected causing thickening of bone and
formation of bone spurs and osteophytes. Abnormal bone formations can break loose
with cartilage fragments and float within joint space. Debris cause synovium to mount
and inflammatory response to break down cartilaginous debris.
What does the inflammatory response during degeneration of cartilage increase? -
ANSWER-the breakdown of remaining healthy cartilage, leading to further degeneration
Osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-pain that is exacerbated with activity and better
with rest (early dz), stiffness, swelling, pain and stiffness worse in the morning (no more
than 30 min), pain worse with prolong inactivity or weather changes
Hip osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-pain in low back and groin, limping and knee
pain from compensation
How many injections can a single joint receive in a year? - ANSWER-no more than 3
What are some topical analgesics that are used in combo with other treatments? -
ANSWER-capsaicin cream (most studied), aspercreme, bengay, icy hot, flexall
, Where should topical analgesics not be applied? - ANSWER-to a break in the skin or
placed over a joint that is tightly occluded
What is viscosupplementation that is used for osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-involve series
of injections into joint over a weeks, reserved for cases where other treatments have
failed
What is viscosupplementation composed of? - ANSWER-hyaluronic acid, a substance
found in the body that gives synovial fluid thickness and cushion
What are the goals of viscosupplementation? - ANSWER-improbe lubrication of joints,
decrease pain and allow for increase mobility and activity
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-locking, cracking, grinding, "give out" feeling,
increasing pain with ascending and descending stairs
Finger osteoarthritis symptoms: - ANSWER-swelling, nodules, stiffness, difficulty
gripping
What are causes of secondary osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-joint injury (fracture or sprain),
chronic stress, joint instability, nervous system disorders (ex. charcot neuropathy),
blood and endocrine disorders (diabetes, gout, thyroid disorders, osteoarthritis, growth
hormone disorders), medications (oral steroids, meds for gout), inflammation (RA
causing secondary osteoarthritis)
What are diagnostic tests for osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-blood work to eliminate other
disorders such as RA and to establish base line and possible secondary osteoarthritis
diseases, X-rays, possible MRI, evaluation of synovial fluid
What is the most common and cost-efficient diagnostic test for osteoarthritis? -
ANSWER-x-ray
What would an x-ray show to diagnose osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-joint space
narrowing, bone spurs, osteophytes
What does synovial fluid of osteoarthritis look like? - ANSWER-straw colored, no more
than 2000 white blood cells, and synovial glucose should be equal to serum glucose
What are alternative treatments for osteoarthritis? - ANSWER-glucosamine, SAM-e
oral, copper and magnetic bracelets, acupuncture, tai chi, pilates, yoga, herbs, and
supplements
Modifiable risk factors for post op complications post total joint replacement are? -
ANSWER-smoking, obesity, malnutrition, heath and conditioning pre surgery, not
discontinuing meds meds pre surgery
