BMJ Best Practice Podcast Osteoarthritis
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Jan 30, 2023 Learn about the diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis, including the importance of X-rays, weight management, exercise, and different treatment options. Expert insights discuss the use of injections, pitfalls in drug therapy, and potential future treatments and surgeries for cartilage building.
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Test To Exclude Other Arthritides
- Use blood tests mainly to exclude other arthritides (rheumatoid arthritis, gout) when the clinical picture is unclear.
- Consider coexisting conditions because multiple pathologies (eg gout on top of OA) commonly coexist.
Severe Pain May Signal A Different Problem
- Always consider alternate or additional causes when pain is out of proportion to radiographic OA severity.
- Occult stress fracture or infection can coexist and require MRI/CT if X-ray is non-diagnostic.
Distinguish RA By MCP Involvement And Tests
- Differentiate rheumatoid arthritis by subacute onset, synovitis and MCP joint involvement and confirm with RF/anti-CCP.
- If presentation is clearly OA, additional autoimmune testing is unnecessary.