OSCE Talk

MSK History Taking: Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis | OSCE Talk

OSCE Talk

Show Notes

In this episode of OSCE Talk we focus on the history and clinical presentation of both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, alongside its impact on patients.

Key aspects to highlight in this episode include:

Joint pain in osteoarthritis worsens with activity, while in rheumatoid arthritis, it can occur at rest. Morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis lasts longer than in osteoarthritis. Physical activity with weight loss can help manage osteoarthritis symptoms. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis is often clinical, alongside using XRay to visualise the joint space. LOSS mnemonic- loss of joint space, osteophytes, subchondral cysts, subchondral sclerosis. Rheumatoid arthritis requires aggressive treatment to prevent joint damage, often requiring methotrexate, steroids and other DMARDs Associated factors in RA include uveitis, urinary tract symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms. Family history plays a significant role in both conditions. Management of osteoarthritis focuses on maintaining function and pain relief.

🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ▶️ YouTube → 📸 Instagram → 🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@oscetalk_

💬 Tell us which OSCE topic you’d like covered next — and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly, structured exam prep and clinical tips.

Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. ​ Content is for educational puporses only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. ​ Always refer to appropiate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.

More from OSCE Talk

Oct 19, 2026

🎧 Subscribe to OSCE Talk Premium here 👇 https://members.spotify.com/to/osce-talk Smoking cessation stations are less about lecturing someone to stop and more about understanding why they smoke, how ready they are to quit, and what support might actually help. In this episode, we work through the 5 A’s approach: • Ask – explore smoking habits, triggers and previous quit attempts • Advise – explain clearly why stopping would benefit their health • Assess – find out how ready and motivated they are to quit • Assist – discuss triggers, coping strategies, nicotine replacement and other treatments • Arrange – organise follow-up and ongoing support We also cover: • Using ICE within a smoking cessation consultation • How to approach someone who isn’t ready to quit • Nicotine patches alongside faster-acting options such as sprays or lozenges • Other smoking cessation medications • Discussing vaping • Specialist stop-smoking services • Why restarting smoking doesn’t mean the quit attempt has failed The key principle: work with the patient rather than against them — understand their motivation, offer practical support and keep the door open for future attempts. 📚 More revision resources at OSCETalk.com

Oct 16, 2026

🎧 Subscribe to OSCE Talk Premium here 👇⁠⁠https://members.spotify.com/to/osce-talk⁠⁠ Seizure and status epilepticus is common, especially in medical exams and in hospital inpatients. This episode looks at assessment and treatment of status epilepticus. • Early simple measures such as the recovery position, airway adjuncts, oxygen. • Importance of timing the seizure and being aware that treatment will be required at 5 minutes • Treatment using IV benzodiazepines, often lorazepam, and that this may need repeated. Consideration if anaesthetic input is required. • Differentials for the cause of seizure are covered.

Oct 6, 2026

🎧 Subscribe to OSCE Talk Premium here 👇⁠https://members.spotify.com/to/osce-talk This episode explores how to take an alcohol use history! This includes Who,what,why,when,where questions. CAGE and AUDIT Questions to screen for addicition and abnormal drinking behaviours. Symptoms of addiction and dependence including psychological and physical symptoms. How to medically manage these patients and offering B1 replacement and medications to help stop drinking and reduce withdrawal side effects. 📚 More revision resources at OSCETalk.com 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations and medical school applicants prepare for interviews. Episodes focus on key, exam-relevant and salient points and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management.Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications.Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.

Oct 1, 2026

🎧 Subscribe to OSCE Talk Premium here 👇 https://members.spotify.com/to/osce-talk

Sep 19, 2026

🎧 Subscribe to OSCE Talk Premium here 👇 https://members.spotify.com/to/osce-talk

See all episodes →