bone

Septic Arthritis: Overview (causes, pathophysiology, treatment)

In this article, we are going to talk about septic arthritis. This is an introduction and overview. It is important to rule out septic arthritis as this can cause irreversible damage to the joint.

Symptoms:

Silent symptoms of septic arthritis include:

Fever
Monoarthritis (which means one inflamed joint)
Inflammation of the joint is characterized by warmth, redness, effusion, pain, decreased function, or range of movement.

Causes:

The person presenting with an inflamed joint requires a thorough history and examination for septic arthritis the main causative agent include Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, Group A streptococcus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (which is a sexually transmitted bacteria).

Pathogenesis:

The pathogenesis of septic arthritis is an inflamed joint a skin infection such as from staphylococcus aureus can spread into the joint causing septic arthritis osteomyelitis which is inflammation fiction of the bone marrow usually caused by staphylococcus aureus again can locally invade the joint causing septic arthritis.

Upper respiratory tract infections or lower respiratory tract infections from Group A streptococcus can hematogenous go-to bone closing osteomyelitis which then can lead to septic arthritis.

Procedures such as injections to the joint space can introduce bacteria into the joint causing septic arthritis.

Further, it’s important to consider surgery as a cause of septic arthritis during surgery bacteria may enter the joint from the skin or from aseptic techniques.

Diagnosis:

Investigations to be performed in a person presenting with monoarthritis include a full blood count c-reactive protein, ESR (to check for signs of inflammation and infection).

Joint aspiration is usually indicated for any mono arthritic presentation.

The joint aspiration will also need to be cultured in microscopy culture and sensitivity. It’s important to also do blood cultures if you suspect systemic infections or bacteremia also perform electrolyte urea creatinine and glucose.

Finally, imaging including ultrasound and x-ray can also be done. An X-ray may reveal dislocation of the joint and there is joint space widening because of the swelling and inflammation occurring within the joint itself.

After performing the investigations notably cultures and joint aspiration administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics is a priority.

Surgical emergency is needed involving joint drainage usually joint aspiration arthroscopic drainage or open drainage.

For more information talk to a healthcare provider.

If you have any questions about Sepic Arthritis, please feel free and leave a comment.

Do share this blog with your friends and family!

Metabolic Bone Disorders

This is a brief article on metabolic bone disorders. We are going to be talking about five bone diseases that are caused by disturbed bone metabolism.

Metabolic Bone Disorders chart

Any deviation from the above chart might be a result of a metabolic bone disorder. So, let’s jump into the first one,

1. Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica:

AKA brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism.
Caused by excessive bone resorption (mediated by osteoclast activity)
Hyperparathyroidism -> increased PTH -> resorb bone
Pathology -> diminished bone strength
Subperiosteal resorption (below connective tissue)
Bone cysts
Radiology: cyst formation, mimics bone neoplasms.
Histology: fibrous tissue, hemorrhage (hemosiderin pigment)
Treatment: the underlying cause of hyperparathyroidism.

Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica

2. Paget’s Disease of Bone:

Paget’s disease of bond is characterized by an increase in the quantity of bony matrix but despite this increase in the quantity of bony matrix. These bonds are fragile and weak because the structure of bone is highly disorganized.

This disorganization of bony structure leads to weakness of bone. So, we call this pathology Paget’s disease of bone.

Now, this patient’s disease of bone is characterized by three stages,

The first stage is an osteolytic stage in which there is the destruction of bone.
The second stage is a mixed phase in which there is destruction as well as the formation of bone.
The third stage is an osteosclerotic phase in which there is just the formation of bone but this formation of bone is highly disorganized.

Symptoms: usually asymptomatic, but some get bone pain/fracture/deformity, arthritis, neuro complications

3. Osteogenesis Imperfecta:

‘Osteo’ refers to the bone ‘Genesis’ means formation. So, this is imperfect bone formation this is a congenital defect is also known as brittle bone disease.
Inadequate bone formation with defective bone matrices
Due to mutation in bone collage gene
Clinical: unexpected fractures, family history, blue sclera (Photo 4:45)
Diagnose with DNA tests or collagen analysis
Treatment: bisphosphonates, surgery, no cure

4. Rickets and Osteomalacia:

Caused by abnormal bone mineralization and vitamin D deficiency.
Due to insufficient calcium or phosphorus
Most frequently caused by vitamin D deficiency.
Bone softening. (So, that malacia means softening)
Adults (osteomalacia) -> bone pain, muscle weakness, fracture risk.
Children (rickets) -> bone deformities, dental issues.
Treatment: restore vitamin D levels, calcium, and phosphorus

Osteomalacia_rickets

5. Osteoporosis:

Most prevalent metabolic bone disease in adults.
Affects an estimated 20 to 25 million Americans, with 4:1, female: male predominance.
Believed to cause 1 to ½ million fractures annually.
Diagnosis: Based on clinical characteristics or a DEXA scan.
Fragility fracture: fracture occurring at an inappropriate degree of trauma.

Osteoporosis Treatment:

Directed at the primary consequence of disease: fracture
Modification of preventable risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Evaluation of fall risk.
Consideration of walkers, handrails, night lights, hip pads.
Adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D.
Prevention for those with family history: minimize bone loss, increase bone density, and prevent fracture.
Medication.

Osteoporosis

For more information talk to a healthcare provider.

If you have any questions about Bone Disease, please feel free and leave a comment.

Do share this blog with your friends and family!

What is Clavicle bone fracture?

A clavicle fracture is a break in the collarbone which is one of the important and supporting bones in the shoulder. This type of fracture is fairly common which occupies about 5 percent of all adult fractures. Most clavicle fractures occur when a person falls onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone. It can be very painful and can make it hard to move your arm.

In clavicle fractures, it is essential to keep the arm and shoulder from moving while the bone heals. Thus it can be treated by wearing a sling. With some clavicle fractures, the pieces of bone move far out of place when the injury occurs. For such complicated fractures, surgery may be needed to realign the collarbone.

Anatomy

The clavicle is located between the shoulder and rib cage. It connects the arm to the body. The clavicle is located on many important nerves and blood vessels. However, these vital structures are rarely injured in the event of a fracture. The clavicle connects your arm to your rib cage which is part of your shoulder.

Clavicle fractures occur in people of all ages and it is very common. Most fractures occur in the shaft or middle portion of the bone. Sometimes, the bone will break where it attaches to the rib cage or shoulder blade. A clavicle fracture can vary as per the intensity of the injury. The bone can break into many pieces or crack just slightly. The broken pieces of bone may be far out of place or may line up straight. Thus it is important to take care of yourself in order to avoid such accidents.

This is the basic information about Clavicle Fracture. We recommend you to visit a doctor after facing such issues. We hope this information adds value to your knowledge. Watch out this space for more such information. Greetings for SYS Medtech International PVT. LTD.

Overview of Skeleton

The human skeleton is the basic structure of the human bones that holds the human body. The human skeleton is made up of many different types of bones and cartilage. Fibrous tissues called ligaments and tendons are also part of the skeleton. In this blog, we are going to get information about these bones and their structure.

Like other vertebrate species, the human skeleton has two main subdivisions, these are- axial and appendix. The axial includes the vertebral column, which is the spine and most of the skull. The appendix consists of the pelvic and pectoral lumbar and cartilage of bones. The third subdivision is visceral which includes the lower jaw, the upper jaw, and branched arches with the hyoid bone. Each subdivision has specific characteristics.

The human skeleton has three main functions- support, protection and motion. Of these functions, support is the most primary and basic function of the skeleton which might be the reason for its existence. All internal organs, systems and muscles depend on skeletal support.

After that, the human skeleton protects the internal organ from severe damage. For eg. the rib cage protects the lungs and heart, the skull protects the brain, etc. Looking at these examples we can surely say that the development of the human skeleton is the most important part of the evolution of mankind.

The third common function of the skeleton is the motion. Every muscle in the body is linked to the skeleton. Thus, from a beautiful straight drive by Sachin Tendulkar to the strokes on canvas by an artist and from the adventurous expeditions made by ISRO astronauts to the potter who works hard to make pottery, the movements of the body and its organs have been made possible by independent engineering systems of muscles and bones.

This is the overview of the human skeleton. I hope this information adds value to your knowledge. Watch out for more knowledge. Greetings for SYS Medtech International PVT. LTD.