NURS 6521N – Pathophysiology of
Osteoarthritis
NURS 6521N – Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis
Review Chapter 37 in the Huether and McCance text and Chapter
24 in the McPhee and Hammer text. Identify the pathophysiology
of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Consider the similarities
and differences of the disorders. Select two of the following
patient factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior.
Reflect on how the factors you selected might impact the
pathophysiology of the disorders, as well as the diagnosis of and
treatment for the disorders.
Sample Solution
Osteoarthritis/ Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteomyelitis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most
common musculoskeletal conditions affecting individuals across
the United States. Distinguished by cartilage degeneration and
bony overgrowth, osteomyelitis affects approximately 13.9% of
adults who are ≥25 years of age.
Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, is an autoimmune
condition characterized by inflammation, usually in bilateral joint,
and systemic features, such as fatigue and fever (Dewing et al.,
2012). Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are typically younger than
those who develop osteomyelitis, with rheumatoid arthritis
occurring between 20 – 30 years of age, and the incidence
peaking at 35 to 50 years of age (Dewing et al., 2012)

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