Joint Disorders
This degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis seen in primary care.
What is osteoarthritis?
This disease is characterized by decreased bone density and increased fracture risk.
What is osteoporosis?
This autoimmune disease typically presents with symmetrical joint pain and morning stiffness lasting longer than one hour.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
This physical exam finding is commonly present in acute gout.
What is a warm, swollen, erythematous joint?
This medication class is often first-line pharmacologic treatment for acute musculoskeletal pain.
What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
A patient presents with knee pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Morning stiffness lasts less than 30 minutes. This diagnosis is most likely.
What is osteoarthritis?
This vitamin deficiency can lead to impaired bone mineralization and contributes to osteopenia and osteoporosis.
What is vitamin D deficiency?
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is most likely to have positive results for this antibody.
What is rheumatoid factor (RF)?
This special test assesses for meniscal injury of the knee.
What is the McMurray test?
This medication is commonly prescribed to prevent recurrent gout attacks by lowering serum uric acid levels.
What is allopurinol?
Pain over the lateral elbow that worsens with gripping and wrist extension suggests this condition.
What is lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)?
A patient with osteoporosis experiences a fracture after a fall from standing height. This type of fracture is called a:
What is a fragility fracture?
A patient presents with fatigue, a malar rash, and joint pain. This autoimmune disease is suspected.
What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
This imaging study is typically the first diagnostic test ordered for chronic knee pain.
What is a plain radiograph (x-ray)?
This medication is considered first-line disease-modifying therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
What is methotrexate?
A patient develops acute swelling, redness, and severe pain of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. This diagnosis is most likely.
What is gout?
Long-term use of this medication class increases the risk of bone loss and fractures.
What are corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)?
This crystal-induced arthritis results from deposition of monosodium urate crystals.
What is gout?
A patient with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome reports numbness and tingling in this nerve distribution.
What is the median nerve distribution?
In addition to medications, this intervention is recommended for nearly all patients with osteoarthritis.
What is exercise/physical therapy?
A patient reports shoulder pain and difficulty initiating arm abduction. This rotator cuff muscle is most commonly affected.
What is the supraspinatus?
A 70-year-old woman presents with acute back pain after lifting a laundry basket. X-ray reveals compression of a thoracic vertebra. This diagnosis is most likely.
What is a vertebral compression fracture?
A patient presents with proximal muscle pain and stiffness involving the shoulders and hips. Symptoms are worse in the morning and ESR is elevated.
What is polymyalgia rheumatica?
A patient reports low back pain accompanied by saddle anesthesia and bowel/bladder dysfunction. This diagnosis must be ruled out immediately.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
A patient with osteoporosis is prescribed alendronate. This medication belongs to what class?
What are bisphosphonates?