Common diseases

Question 1

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Answer 1

Symmetrical joint swelling, redness, stiffness (worse in morning), limited ROM, pain, deformities (e.g., ulnar drift, boutonnière deformity)

* Chronic, systemic inflammation; symmetrical joint involvement.
* Signs: Heat, redness, swelling, stiffness.

Question 2

Osteoarthritis

Answer 2

Asymmetrical joint stiffness, bony overgrowths (Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes), pain with motion, limited ROM

* Degeneration of cartilage; commonly affects knees, hips, spine.
* Signs: Pain, stiffness, bony overgrowths (Heberden/Bouchard nodes).

Question 3

Gout

Answer 3

Redness, swelling, heat, extreme tenderness (commonly in great toe); presence of tophi in chronic cases

when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack

Question 4

Osteoporosis

Answer 4

Loss of bone density, increased fracture risk (e.g., spine, hip, wrist)

* Decreased bone mass; increased fracture risk (e.g., hip, spine, wrist).
* Risk factors: Age, menopause, inactivity, low calcium/vitamin D.

Question 5

Scoliosis

Answer 5

Uneven shoulders, scapulae, and hip levels; lateral curvature of the spine

Question 6

Compartment Syndrome

Answer 6

• Swelling compresses nerves and vasculature within a muscle compartment.
  
  • Symptoms: Pain, edema, loss of circulation.
  • Requires immediate intervention to prevent ischemia.

Localized swelling, pain out of proportion, decreased circulation, potential for permanent tissue damage

Question 7

Septic Arthritis

Answer 7

Red, hot, swollen joint with reduced ROM; systemic symptoms (fever)

Question 8

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Answer 8

Positive Phalen and Tinel’s signs; atrophy of thenar eminence; pain, burning, tingling in thumb and first three fingers

Question 9

Rotator Cuff Injury

Answer 9

Limited abduction, pain with shoulder motion, weakness in external rotation

Question 10

Osteomyelitis

Answer 10

• Infection of the bone.
  
  • Symptoms: Fever, localized tenderness, heat, edema.
  • Overlaps with septic arthritis; must rule out.

Question 11

Septic Arthritis:

Answer 11

• Bacterial infection of a joint.
  
  • Symptoms: Fever, warmth, swelling, reduced ROM.
  • Risk: Immune suppression, systemic infections.

Question 12

Back Pain Red Flags

Answer 12

(TUNA FISH Mnemonic)
* T: Trauma or tuberculosis.
* U: Unexplained weight loss, night sweats.
* N: Neurological deficits (bowel/bladder incontinence).
* A: Age <20 or >55.
* F: Fever.
* I: IV drug use.
* S: Steroid use or immunosuppressed.
* H: History of cancer or early morning stiffness.