ABSTRACT
This chapter, written for undergraduate medical students and post-graduate doctors in training, presents information on how to manage joint pain — a case which they are likely to encounter in the future in a general practice setting. It presents the case of a 51-year-old woman who has a 2-month history of pain, swelling and stiffness in the finger joints and wrists of both hands. Her feet are also very painful and stiff when she first gets up in the morning. The chapter provides details of the patients' medical history and the key findings of clinical examination, together with initial investigation results data for evaluation, and helps them develop their skills of clinical reasoning. Key questions then prompt the student to evaluate the patient, and reach a decision regarding their condition and the possible treatment plan.
