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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Osteoarthritis Is A Whole-Joint Disease
- Osteoarthritis is both a degenerative and inflammatory disease affecting cartilage, bone, synovium and periarticular soft tissues.
- Fadi Badlissi frames OA as a whole-joint disorder, not just cartilage wear-and-tear.
Use History First, X‑Ray For Confirmation
- Diagnose osteoarthritis primarily from a chronic history and typical joint pattern, and confirm with baseline X-rays when needed.
- Reserve serial imaging and further tests for unclear cases or surgical planning.
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.