SMi Source Lesson Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • SMi Source lesson Rheumatoid Arthritis has the following microlearning topics

    • 1. Joints Affected by RA

    2. Pannus at the Cellular Level

    3. T Cells in RA

    4. B Cells in RA

  • Lesson Rheumatoid Arthritis teaches these concepts

    • Overview of RA, Joints Affected by RA

    Overview of RA, Joints Affected by RA, Synovitis and the Synovial Pannus

    Overview of RA, Joints Affected by RA, Synovial Joints

    Overview of RA, Joints Affected by RA, Exercise: Normal Joint vs. Joint Affected by RA

  • Lesson Rheumatoid Arthritis addresses these key points

    • Joints Affected by RA

    • RA is a systemic autoimmune disease
    • Typically affects the synovial joints of the body

    Synovial joints

    • Most flexible joints 
    • Allow the greatest range of motion
    • Most commonly affected by RA

    Synovitis and the Synovial Pannus

    • Release of cytokines that enhance inflammation
      • IL-1
      • TNF-α
      • IL-17

    Synovial Joints

    • Bones they join are separated by a fluid-filled capsule
    • Capsule made up of two layers:
      • Thick, tough outer fibrous capsule
      • Thin, inner synovial membrane, or synovium
    • Synovial fluid
      • Viscous and slippery
    • Cartilage
      • Ends of bones connected by the joint 
    • Synovial joints reinforced by ligaments

    Exercise: Normal Joint vs. Joint Affected by RA

    • Ligament
    • Fibrous capsule
    • Synovium
    • Inflamed synovium
    • Synovial fluid
    • Synovial pannus
    • Decreased joint space
    • Cartilage
    • Erosion of cartilage/bone