Osteoarthritis Quiz Questions With Answers

Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of the gradual degeneration of the movable joints, due to wear and tear of the articular cartilage, with advancing age. This means that as a person gets older, the cartilage that cushions the joints begins to break down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. This degeneration is a natural part of the aging process and is the primary cause of osteoarthritis. Deficiency of calcium in young people, low levels of estrogen in older women, and high levels of estrogen in older women are not directly related to the development of osteoarthritis.

Bony crepitus refers to the crackling or grinding sensation that is felt or heard when moving a joint affected by osteoarthritis. This sensation occurs due to the roughening of the joint surfaces, causing bone to rub against bone during movement. It is commonly associated with degenerative changes and cartilage loss in the joint, leading to increased friction and the characteristic crepitus sound or sensation.

This statement is true. Osteoarthritis of the spine is indeed caused by degenerative changes in the apophyseal joints, which are the joints that connect the vertebrae. On the other hand, spondylosis refers to degenerative disc disease, which is the deterioration of the intervertebral discs. Therefore, the statement accurately distinguishes between the two conditions.

The statement is true. Stiffness of the involved joint upon arising in the morning or after immobility is indeed a prominent symptom of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. The stiffness experienced in the morning or after periods of immobility is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the joint and the thickening of the joint capsule. This stiffness usually improves with movement and activity throughout the day.

This statement is false. Hip osteoarthritis can be attributed to a congenital defect in the anatomy of the hip joint. Congenital hip dysplasia, for example, is a condition where the hip joint is not properly formed at birth, leading to an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life. Other congenital conditions or abnormalities in the hip joint can also contribute to the development of hip osteoarthritis.

The typical pain of osteoarthritis is aggravated by use, meaning that activities such as walking or moving the affected joint can worsen the pain. On the other hand, rest can provide relief from the pain. This is because when the joint is at rest, there is less pressure and stress on the affected area, reducing the discomfort.

Heberden's nodes refers to the osteoarthritis affecting the distal interphalangeal joints, specifically the first finger joint from the fingertip. Bouchard's nodes, on the other hand, refer to osteoarthritis affecting the proximal interphalangeal joints. Richard's nodes is not a recognized term in relation to osteoarthritis. Therefore, the correct answer is Heberden's nodes.

This statement is true. Osteoarthritis of the finger joints is indeed more common in females, while in males, the hip or knee joints are commonly affected. This gender difference in the distribution of osteoarthritis may be due to various factors such as hormonal differences, variations in joint mechanics, or differences in occupational or lifestyle factors. However, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying reasons for this gender disparity in osteoarthritis.

The term 'Generalized Osteoarthritis' is used when three or more joints are involved. This means that the condition affects multiple joints in the body, rather than just one or a few. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage and the underlying bone. When it affects three or more joints, it is considered to be generalized, indicating a more widespread and potentially severe form of the disease.

When osteoarthritis affects the thumb base, it causes the joint to become enlarged and develop bony outgrowths. This leads to a squared appearance, as the joint becomes more angular and less rounded.