English for Nurses

Lesson 13: Osteoarthritis

Listen to the audio of the following terms.

bone
cartilage
gait
inflammation
inflamed 
joint 
limp
osteoarthritis
spine
stiff 
swollen

 

Activity 1: Match the terms on the left with their correct meanings on the right.

1.    bone	a)  walk in an uneven way
2.    cartilage	b)  doesn’t move easily
3.    gait	c)   part of the body that is made larger because it has fluid in it
4.    inflamed	d)  fibres of tissue found between bones
5.    joint	e)   red and swollen
6.    limp	f)    the area that joins two bones
7.    stiff	g)   hard tissue that forms part of the skeleton
8.    swollen	h)    the way you walk

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity 2: Complete the sentences about osteoarthritis terms.
 

limps             gait            joints              bone            stiff           inflamed

 

1  The term ‘osteo’ means  ___________  and  ‘arthro’ means joint.
 

2  People with osteoarthritis have __________or swollen joints.
 

3  Arthritis makes joints ____________and stops them from moving easily.
 

4  A person who ___________walks slowly and with difficulty.
 

5 The way a person walks is called the___________-.

6. Stiff ____________ in the fingers make it hard to get dressed.

 

 

Listen to the audio and read the text.

 

 

 

Note: Osteoarthritis is usually just called 'arthritis'.

 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.  There is no blood test for osteoarthritis but many patients have an X-ray to check how much cartilage and bone have been lost.
 

Osteoarthritis usually affects the joints of the knees, hips, fingers, neck and lower back. Most patients have stiff and painful joints. Their joints become less stiff if they rest. However, their joints become stiff if they start to move again and the joints tend to hurt more in the morning.
 

Patients with arthritis often limp when they walk. Arthritis in the spine makes it extremely painful to walk, sit or lie down. Red, swollen joints in the hands make it difficult to hold things like pens or cups or to get dressed.

 

Activity 3: Answer the questions about the text. Then, listen to the audio to check your answers.

 

uneven             gait             bone damage            twist     

1. ‘Osteoarthritis' means _____________________.
 a   broken bone

b   inflamed joints

c   inflamed cartilage

2. What parts of the body are usually affected by osteoarthritis? The hips, knees, fingers and ____.
a   spine    
b   leg
c   arm

3.  People with osteoarthritis often ______________when walking.
a   fall over
b  bend their knees
c   limp

4. Osteoarthritis in the fingers causes ________________.
a  stiff joints
b   limp joints
c   skin problems

5.  Doctors use ____________________ to diagnose osteoarthritis

a    MRI scans

b    X-rays

c    urine tests

   

Activity 4: Watch the video about Mr Hamid and his arthritis. Then, answer the questions that follow. Click on CC+ to see the captions.

 

Before you start, review these words

knuckle              one of the joints of the finger

twist                   turn something in a circle

walking stick      stick which helps patients walk safely

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Where does Mr Hamid have arthritis?

a in his left hand

b in his right knee

c in his right knee and both hands

 

2  What does he use to help him walk?

a  a walking stick

b  a walking frame

c  a walker

 

3  What is the problem with Mr Hamid’s knuckles?

a   They are painful.

b   They are cold.

c   They are red and swollen.

 

4. Why does Mr Hamid have problems making a cup of tea?

a   He can’t hold the cup.

b  His fingers are stiff.

c   His knuckles hurt.

 

5.   Can Mr Hamid open the lid of his medication?

a    No, he can’t twist it open.

b   No, the lid is too tight.

c    Yes, he opens the lid easily.

 

 

Activity 5: Complete the dialogue. Then watch the video again to check your answers.
 

knuckles        twist                stiff                  arthritis                       walking stick

Nurse: Where do you have (1)___________________, Mr Hamid?
 

Patient: It’s in my right knee and both hands.
 

Nurse:  Do you use a (2) ______________________ when you walk?
 

Patient: Yes, nurse. The pain in my joints makes it difficult to walk so I need a walking stick to help me.
 

Nurse:  I understand. What problems do you have with your hands?
 

Patient: Oh, my (3) _______________   are very swollen as you can see.
 

Nurse: Yes, they are very red and swollen.
 

Patient: My fingers are (4) _____________  in the mornings so it is hard to make a cup of tea.
 

Nurse: I see. What about your medication? Can you open the lid of your tablets?
 

Patient: No, I just can’t do it. I can’t (5) ______________ the lid off at all.

 

 

Activity 6:  Complete the dialogue and record it for homework.

 

a   My knuckles are very swollen and my fingers are stiff in the mornings.

b   It’s in my right knee and both hands.
c   No, I can’t twist the lid off at all.

d   Yes, I need a walking stick to help me.

 

Nurse:  Where do you have arthritis?

Patient:  _______________________________
Nurse:    Do you use a walking stick when you walk?

Patient:    ___________________________________
Nurse:   What problems do you have with your hands?

Patient:  _______________________________________________
Nurse:   Can you open the lid of your tablets?

Patient:   _________________________________________