Test your understanding of polyarthritis
A 34-year old female is assessed by her Family Physician for an annual “well-woman” physical examination. She mentions that she has noticed swelling and pain in her hands and wrists that began six months ago. In the mornings, her fingers are swollen and she feels stiff all over. This subsides by mid-morning but by mid-afternoon her feet ache. She feels generally fatigued and has had to give up full-time employment because of this. For the last two months, she has been taking over-the-counter Ibuprofen daily with partial relief of symptoms. The physical exam reveals no deformity in either upper or lower extremities. There is tenderness and swelling of both wrists, all MCPs and PIP, right knee and all MTPs. She has full active range motion of all joints but pain towards the end of range. No joint instability is noted and McMurray’s test normal in the knees. The patient's general physical exam reveals normal vital signs, no skin lesions, no organomegaly.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
a)

Acute viral illness

b)

CPPD

c)

Osteoarthritis

d)

Rheumatoid arthritis

You are asked to review a 23-year old man with a sore back and a stiff and swollen knee. Review the case and answer the related questions.

Which type of arthritis is most likely depicted in the diagram above?
a)

Gout

b)

Osteoarthritis

c)

Rheumatoid Arthritis