Browse Questions | NEET PG PYQ

A.An acute, symmetrical polyarthritis: Pain and stiffness in multiple joints (at least four) Symptoms of articular inflammation. The joints affected most commonly are the metacarpo- phalangeal joints, particularly that of the index finger. Other joints affected commonly are (given in Table): Common • MP joints of hand • PIP joints of fingers • Wrists, knees, elbows, ankles • Hip joint Less common • Temporomandibular joint • Atlantoaxial joint Uncommon • Facet joints of cervical spine On examination: Swollen boggy joints as a result of intra-articular effusion, synovial hypertrophy and oedema of the periarticular structures. The joints may be deformed. Deformities in Rheumatoid arthritis Hand • Ulnar drift of the hand • Boutonniere deformity • Swan neck deformity Elbow • Flexion deformity • Early – flexion deformity Knee Late – triple* subluxation Ankle • Equinus deformity Foot • Hallux valgus, Hammer toe, etc. Treatment and prognosis Treatment of RA is aimed at improving the symptoms and slowing disease progression. Therapy is with a combination of corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and TNF antagonists (e.g. etanercept).