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An Approach to a Patient with Joint Pain

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Rheumatology for Primary Care Providers

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Abstract

Joint pain is a common presenting symptom in primary care. It is important to have a structured and efficient approach to the history and examination of patients with musculoskeletal disease. This chapter provides an approach that will enable the clinician to arrive at a differential diagnosis by utilising a systematic approach. The general rheumatological history is discussed, followed by a more specific enquiry focused on individual presentations for patients with mechanical joint pain, connective tissue disease and inflammatory arthritis. A diagnostic tree is used to aid decision-making. The principles of general and localised examination are also explored.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, Colchester, Essex, UK

    Tom Walton

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  1. Tom Walton
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Correspondence to Tom Walton .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    Yousaf Ali

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Walton, T. (2022). An Approach to a Patient with Joint Pain. In: Ali, Y. (eds) Rheumatology for Primary Care Providers. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80699-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80699-6_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80698-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80699-6

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