Joint Traumas, Diseases, and Disorders

Bursitis

• Definition: Inflammation of the bursa, which can happen at any joint with bursa.
• Causes:
  • Bacterial or viral infections.
  • Tear of the fibrous sac.
  • Dysfunctional synovial fluid.
• Symptoms:
  • Inflammation and swelling.
  • Painful and can affect joint movement.

Menisci

• Structure: Fibrocartilage discs between tibia and femur.
• Function: Helps fit the rounded femur into the flattened condyle of the tibia.
• Injuries:
  • Can have full or partial tears.
  • Tears appear as shreds in the collagen fibers.
• Treatment:
  • Surgical repair or allowing self-healing, though healing is slow due to lack of blood supply.

Arthritis

General Overview

• Definition: Inflammation of joints.
• Types: Over 50 types; focus on common ones:
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Gout

Osteoarthritis

• Description: Also known as wear and tear arthritis.
• Characteristics:
  • Loss of space between bones, bones touch.
  • Degradation of articular cartilage.
  • Formation of bone spurs.
• Treatment:
  • Therapy is preferred, surgery is last resort.
  • Cartilage cell implantation is possible for some patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Characteristics:
  • Autoimmune disease attacking synovial membranes.
  • Leads to inflammation and degradation of membranes and secondary cartilage wear.
  • Symmetrical in nature (affects both sides equally).
• Demographics:
  • More common in women, typically appears between ages 40-60, but can affect any age.
• Symptoms:
  • Overlapping bones leading to potential fusion.

Gout (Gouty Arthritis)

• Characteristics:
  • Genetic predisposition and dietary causes.
  • Uric acid or sodium urate crystals deposit in joints (often big toe or thumb).
  • Crystals cause erosion of membranes and cartilage.
• Symptoms:
  • Inflammation, swelling, severe pain.
• Treatment:
  • Medication and dietary changes to manage levels of purines, which are found in processed foods and contribute to uric acid levels.

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These notes cover the key points and conditions related to joint traumas, diseases, and disorders as discussed in the lecture.