Inflammatory Disorders

Inflammation of joints

IncludeRheumatoid Arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis

Osteomyelitis

Bursitis

Polymyositis

Rheumatoid arthritisEtiology/pathophysiology

Most serious form of arthritis

Chronic, systemic disease

Most common in women of childbearing age

Autoimmune disorder, but may also be genetic

May affect lungs, heart, blood vessels, muscles, eyes, and skin

Chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the diarthrodial joints (movable)

Rheumatoid arthritis (continued)Clinical manifestations/assessment

Rheumatoid arthritis of hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis (continued)Diagnostic tests

Laboratory Tests

Rheumatoid arthritis (continued)Medical management/nursing interventions

Ankylosing spondylitisEtiology/pathophysiology

Clinical manifestations/assessment

Ankylosing spondylitis (continued)Diagnostic tests

Medical management/nursing interventions

Osteomeylitis

Inflammation of bone and bone marrow

Most common cause

Also from infected teeth, tonsils, or URI

Common organisms

Bursitis

Inflammation of Bursa (fluid filled sac allowing joint movement)

Usually from trauma or repetitious movement

Appears calcified on X-ray

Treatment

Polymyositis

Inflammation of striated/skeletal muscle

Etiology unknown (possibly autoimmune)

Can affect heart, GI tract, and lungs

Symptoms

Medical-Surgical Management

Pharmacological treatment is symptomatic- Prednisone, may be long term

Diet, may need frequent small meals and antacids for reflux

Activity

Nursing Process

AssessmentSubjective Data re: joint pain, appetite, dyspnea, GI symptoms

Objective Data re: ADL’s, respiratory difficulty, palpated joint tenderness

Medical-Surgical Management

Bedrest with sandbags to immobilize bone

Antibiotics given early to prevent bone abcess

Abcess very difficult to heal, may require incision to drain

Very painful

Tendency for abcess to recur

Surgical

Pharmacological

Diet

Activity