NUR1 239 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Epiphysis
Document Summary
Chronic systemic inflammation of the joints and surrounding connective tissues. Inflammation of the synovial membrane leads to thickening; then to fibrosis, which limits motion and finally to bony ankyloses. This disorder is symmetrical and bilateral and is characterized by heat, redness, swelling and painful motion of the affected joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with fatigue, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, low grade fever. Chronic progressive inflammation of spine, sacroiliac and larger joints, leading to ankylosis and deformity. Spasm of paraspinal muscles pills the spine into forward flexion, obliterating cervical and lumbar curves. The thoracic curve is exaggerated into a single kyphotic rounding. Manifestations also include flexion deformities of the hips and knees. Non inflammatory, localized, progressive disorder involving deterioration of articular cartilages and subchondral bone and formation of new bone at joint surface. Age increases incidence; nearly all adult older than 60 show some signs of osteoarthritis. Asymmetrical joint involvement, commonly affects hands, knees, hips and lumbar and cervical.