MSK 22 – What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Right side worse than the left with a loss of joint space + subchondral sclerosis and geodes.
Remodelling is also present in the hip joint.

Case courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 35875

so, What is osteoarthritis?

OA is characterised by the loss of cartilage in synovial joints leading to changes in the periarticular bone.¹ Interestingly there’s more evidence of an inflammatory component to it’s pathology rather than just purely wear-and-tear.

Interesting and important fact:

Only advanced damaged from OA show up on X-rays.¹ Other investigations such as arthroscopy and MRI may be able to show damage in earlier stages.

For more information Listen to the episode:

 

 

References:

1. Kumar P, Clark M (eds.) Clinical medicine. 7th ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2009. p.518-521.

Additional Reading:

• Management of Osteoarthritis – by Australian Prescriber

Draw the Cranial Nuclei

Part 1: Understanding motor and sensory tracts in the brainstem and spinal cord

Part 2: Adding in the cranial nerve nuclei

MSK 8 – The bare essentials about Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis – Picture from Burleigh Head Physiotherapy Center

We’ve gone through bone formation. We’re now going to build on that knowledge and go through the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. Sit back and relax while you enjoy the Common Rounds.

MSK 7 – Simplifying Calcium and Phosphate Regulation

Calcium and Phosphate regulation is complicated as it ties the GI, kidneys and bones together.
Join us as we go through how PTH, Calcitriol regulate calcium and phosphate.

Calcium and Phosphate regulation

In short:

PTH: increases [calcium], decreases [phosphate]
Calcitriol: increases [calcium], increases [phosphate]

FOUR actions of Parathyroid Hormone(PTH):

1. Increase bone resorption leading to rise in calcium and phosphate.
2. Phosphate is filtered in the kidney and it’s resorption is blocked by PTH. This leads to an overall drop in phosphate levels.
3. Calcium is filtered in the kidneys but the resorption is increased by PTH. This leads to an overall increase in calcium concentration.
4. PTH increases Calcitriol (activated Vit D) production in the kidneys. This indirectly increases calcium absorption from the intestines.

FOUR actions of Calcitriol (activated vitamin D)

1. Increases bone resorption causing a rise in calcium and phosphate levels.
2. Calcitriol INCREASES the reabsorption of phosphate in the kidneys.
3. Calcitriol increases the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys.
4. Calcitriol acts DIRECTLY on the intestines to increase calcium absorption from diet.

Onco 18 – Chemotherapy – an outline.

Why are they some of the most difficult and painful drugs to be on.

Join us as pharmacist Alana give us a quick insight into oncology drugs: their principles, side effects, targeted therapy and much more.

Onco 16 – Brain Tumors – where even benign ones are bad news.

It’s like an obnoxious little friend that didn’t want to leave you and decided to hide in a place you can’t reach.

Find out why even a benign tumor can be deadly.

Onco 15 – The common skin tumors you MUST know

Did you know that a third of Australians will get some form of skin cancer in their lifetime?

Learn how Skin cancers form and what are the common ones to look for with Hamed and Andy.

Onco 13 – The importance of pap smears – Ovarian and Cervical Tumors

The importance of pap smears.

Join us on the Common Rounds as we go through common tumors found in the ovarian and cervical region.

Onco 12 – Female Genital Tumors

What is the link between the infamous HPV and cancers? And why the HPV vaccine is such a big deal.

Join us on the Common Rounds

Onco 11 – Urothelial Tumors

A greater risk to the urothelial system than just infections?

Join us on the Common Rounds as we go through the common tumors that occur in the urothelial region. What you find out may surprise you.