Sagittal Fluid Sensitivity

knee arthritis chiropractic care el paso tx.

Sagittal Fluid Sensitive MR slice showing large synovial popliteal (Baker’s) cyst (above top image) and large synovial effusion (above bottom image)
Note multiple patchy dark signal areas on both images, representing fibrinoid inflammatory depostits aka “rice bodies” a characteristic MRI feature of RA

Management Rheumatological Referral & DMARM

Conservative management followed by operative care in complicated cases of tendon ruptures and joints dislocations
Supplemental reading:
Diagnosis and Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis – AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/1201/p1245.html

Septic Arthritis (SA)

Septic arthritis – d/t bacterial or fungal contamination of the joint. SA may cause rapid joint destruction and requires prompt Dx and antibiotic administration
Joints affected: large joints with rich blood supply (knee 50%>

1. Hematogenous (M/C)
2. Spread from the adjacent site
3. Direct inoculation
M/C organism-Staph aureus
N.B Gonococcal infection may be a top differential in some cases
IV drug users: pseudomonas, candida
Sickle cell: Salmonella
Animal (cats/dogs) bites: Pasteurella
Occaisonally fungal contamination may occur

Radiography

Initially non-specific ST/joint effusion, obscuration/distortion of fat planes. Because it takes 30% of compact and 50-75% trabecula bone to be destroyed before seen on x-rays, radiography is insensitive to some of the early changes. MR imaging is the preferred modality
If MRI is not available or contraindicated. Bone scintigraphy with Tc-99 MDT can help
In children US preferred to avoid ionizing radiation. In children US can be more sensitive than in adults due to lack of bone maturation

Radiographic Dx

Early findings are unrewarding. Early features may include: joint widening d/t effusion. Soft tissue swelling and obscuration/displacement of fat planes
1-2 weeks: periarticular and adjacent osseous changes manifesting as patchy demineralization, moth-eaten, permeating bone destruction, loss and indistinctness of the epiphyseal “white cortical line” with increase in soft tissue swelling. MRI may be helpful with early Dx.
Late features: complete joint destruction and ankyloses
N.B. Septic arthritis may progress rapidly within days and requires early I.V. antibiotic to prevent major joint destruction

T1 & T2 Knee MRI

T1 (above left) and T2 fat-sat sagittal knee MRI slices reveal loss of normal marrow signal on T1 and increase on T2 due to septic edema. Bone sequestrum d/t osteomyelitis progressing into septic arthritis is noted. Marked joint effusion with adjacent soft tissue edema are seen. Dx: OSM and septic arthritis

Imaging may help the Dx of septic joint. However, the final Dx is based on Hx, physical examination, blood tests and most importantly synovial aspiration (arthrosentisis)

Synovial fluid should be sent for Gram staining, culture, glucose testing, leukocyte count, and differential determination

ESR/CRP may be elevated

Synovial fluid: WBC can be 50,000-60,000/ul, with 80% neutrophils with depleted glucose levels Gram stain: in 75% gram-positive cocci. Gram staining is less sensitive in gonococcal infection with only 25% of cultures +

In 9% of cases, blood cultures are the only source of pathogen identification and should be obtained before antibiotic treatment

Crystal-Induced Knee Arthritis

Crystalline arthritis: a group of arthropathies resulting from crystal deposition in and around the joint.
2-m/c: Monosodium urate crystals (MSU) and Calcium Pyrophosphate Dehydrate crystals (CPPD) arthropathy
Gout: MSU deposition in and around joints and soft tissues. Elevated levels of seurm uric acid (UA) (>7mg/dL) causd by overproduction or under-excretion of uric acid
Once UA reached/exceeded 7mg/dL it will deposit in the peripheral tissues. Primary gout: disturbed metabolism of nucleic acids and purines breakdown. Secondary gout: increased cell turnover: Psoriasis, leukemia, multiple myeloma, hemolysis, chemotherapy etc.
Gout presents with 5-characteristic stages:
1)asymptomatic hyperuricemia (years/decades)
acute attacks of gouty arthritis (waxes and wanes and lasts for several years)
Interval phase between attacks
Chronic tophacious gout
Gouty nephropathy

Clinical Presentation

Depends on stages
Acute attacks: acute joint pain “first and the worst” even painful to light touch
DDx: septic joint (both may co-exist) bursitis etc.
Gouty arthritis typically presents as monoarthropathy
Chronic tophacious stage: deposits in joints, ear pinna, ocular structures and other regions. Nephrolithiasis etc. Men>women. Obesity, diet, and age >50-60.
Radiography: early attacks are unremarkable and may present as non-specific joint effusion
Chronic tophacious gout radiography: punched out peri-articular, para-aticular and/or intraosseous erosions with overhanging edges. Characteristic rim of sclerosis and internal calcification, soft tissue tophi. Target sites: lower extremity m/c
Rx: allopurinol, colchicin (esp. preventing acute episodes and maintenance)

Synovial Aspiration

Synovial aspiration with polarized microscopy reveal negatively birefringent needle-shaped MSU crystals with large inflammatory PMN presence. DDx: positively birefringent rhomboid-shaped CPPD crystals (above bottom right) seen in Pseudogout and CPPD

Large S.T.

Density and joint effusion puched out osseous erosion with overhanging margins, overall perservation of bone density, internal calcifications Dx: chronic tophacious gout

MRI Gout Features

Erosions with overhanging margins, low signal on T1 and high on T2 and fat suppressed images. Peripheral contrast enhancement of tophacious deposits d/t granulation tissue
Dx: final Dx; synovial aspiration and polarized microscopy

Additional Articles

Knee Arthritis

Dr. Alexander Jimenez ♛

Chiropractor & Functional Medicine Practitioner ⚕Injury & Sciatica Specialist • Author • Educator • 915-850-0900 📞

We Welcome You 👊🏻. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive, cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, practical strength training, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to effective rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities premier doctors, therapist and trainers to provide high-level competitive athletes the possibilities to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We’ve been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last three decades allowing us to restore our patients’ health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body’s ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age or disability. Join us in improving your health for you and your family. It’s all about: LIVING, LOVING & MATTERING! 🍎 Welcome & God Bless EL PASO LOCATIONS Central: 6440 Gateway East, Ste B Phone: 915-850-0900 East Side: 11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste 128 Phone: 915-412-6677