In your initial post, discuss the following questions about your
chosen disorder:
Concept and Etiology: How does the disease affect the
musculoskeletal and integumentary systems in particular? How
does it deviate from the definition of health discussed in
Module One?
Changes in joint tissue can cause sections of the joint to break down
over time. This is not due to normal joint wear and tear. Some
variables may increase your risk of contracting the condition, such as:
aging, obesity, injury, overuse, malformation, or genetics (Nancy
Garrick, 2017).
Classification: How is the disease classified?
OA has three phases. Initial proteolytic degradation of cartilage
matrix. Metalloproteinases (example, collagenase, stromelysin)
are metalloproteinases that degrade the cartilage matrix.
In stage 2, the cartilage surface fibrillates and erodes, releasing
proteoglycan and collagen fragments into the synovial fluid.
Stage 3 causes a persistent inflammatory reaction in the synovium.
Synovial macrophages produce metalloproteinases and cytokines like
IL-1 and TNF-alpha. In cartilage, metalloproteinases can either
directly damage tissue or induce chondrocytes to create more
(“Progression of Osteoarthritis: Stages of Osteoarthritis, Subsets of
Primary Osteoarthritis, Radiologic Classification of Osteoarthritis,”
2019).
Clinical Manifestations (Symptoms and Signs): What are the
symptoms and signs of the disease or disorder? Be sure you
understand the difference between symptoms (subjective) and
signs (objective).
OA presents with pain, stiffness, and tenderness in affected
joints. Loss of flexibility, grating sensation, bone spurs, and
swelling (Mayo Clinic, 2018a).
Diagnostic Tests: What are some additional diagnostic tests
that can be done to illuminate the diagnosis? For example,
when you injure your ankle, they take an x-ray to determine if it
is broken or sprained.
Diagnostics include history of patient, physical examination, X-
rays, and MRI. Treatment strategies may include physical
therapy, weight management, ambulatory aids, orthopedic
devices, pharmacologic agents, and surgery (Story, 2018).
Mayo Clinic. (2018a). Osteoarthritis - Symptoms and causes. Mayo
Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/sym
ptoms-causes/syc-20351925
Nancy Garrick, D. D. (2017, April 7). Osteoarthritis. National Institute
of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis#tab-causes
Progression of Osteoarthritis: Stages of Osteoarthritis, Subsets of
Primary Osteoarthritis, Radiologic Classification of Osteoarthritis.
(2019). EMedicine.
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1930582-overview
Story, L. (2018). Pathophysiology: a practical approach (3rd ed.). Jones
& Bartlett Learning.
