Differential & Work-up: Joint/Limb Pain Flashcards
30 yo F presents with wrist pain and a black eye after tripping, falling, and hitting her head on the edge of a table. She looks anxious and gives an inconsistent story.
- Domestic violence
- Factitious disorder
- Substance abuse
WORK UP FOR:
- Domestic violence
- Factitious disorder
- Substance abuse
- XR-wrist
- CT-head
- Urine toxicology
30 yo F secretary presents with wrist pain and a sensation of numbness and burning in her palm and the first, second, and third fingers of her right hand. The pain worsens at night and is relieved by loose shaking of the hand. There is sensory loss in the same fingers. Exam reveals a positive Tinel sign.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Median nerve compression (forearm or arm)
- Radiculopathy of nerve roots C6 & C7 in cervical spine
- De Quervain tenosynovitis
WORK UP FOR:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Median nerve compression (forearm or arm)
- Radiculopathy of nerve roots C6 & C7 in cervical spine
- De Quervain tenosynovitis
- Nerve conduction studies
- EMG
- U/S-wrist
- MRI-spine
28 yo F presents with pain in the interphalangeal joints of her hands accompanied by hair loss and a rash on her face.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Parvovirus B19 infection
WORK UP FOR:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Parvovirus B19 infection
- ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, ESR, C3,C4, antiphospholipid antibodies
- RF, anti-CCP
- ESR, CRP
- CBC
- XR-hands
- UA, urine sediment
- Antibody titers for parvovirus B 19
28 yo F presents with pain in the metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands. Her left knee is also painful and red. She has morning joint stiffness that lasts for an hour. Her mother had rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- SLE
- Disseminated gonorrhea
- Arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease
WORK UP FOR:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- SLE
- Disseminated gonorrhea
- Arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease
- XR-hands, left knee
- ANA, anti-dsDNA, ESR, RF, anti-CCP
- CBC
- Cervical culture
- Arthrocentesis and synovial fluid analysis
18 yo M presents with pain in the interphalangeal joints of both hands. He also has scaly, salmon-pink lesions on the extensor surface of his elbows and knees.
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- SLE
- Gout
WORK UP FOR:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- SLE
- Gout
- ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, ANA
- CBC
- XR-hands
- XR-pelvis/sacroiliac joints
- Uric acid
65 yo F presents with inability to use her left leg or bear weight on it after tripping on a carpet. Onset of menopause was 20 years ago, and she did not receive HRT or calcium supplements. Her left leg is externally rotated, shortened, and adducted, and there is tenderness in her left groin.
- Hip fracture
- Hip dislocation
- Pelvic fracture
WORK UP FOR:
- Hip fracture
- Hip dislocation
- Pelvic fracture
- XR-hip/pelvis
- CT or MRI-hip
- CBC, type & cross
- Serum calcium and vitamin D
- Bone density scan (DEXA)
40 yo M presents with pain in the right groin after a motor vehicle accident. His right leg is flexed at the hip, adducted, and internally rotated.
- Hip dislocation-Traumatic
- Hip fracture
WORK UP FOR:
- Hip dislocation-Traumatic
- Hip fracture
- XR-hip
- CT or MRI-hip
- CBC, type & cross
- PT/PTT
- Urine toxicology and blood alcohol level
- U/S-abdomen (FAST exam)
56 yo obese F presents with right knee stiffness and pain that increases with movement. Her symptoms have gradually worsened over the past 10 years. She has noticed swelling and deformity of the joint and is having difficulty walking.
- Osteoarthritis
- Pseudogout
- Gout
- Meniscal or ligament damage