Musculoskeletal Key

Radiographs of the hands are probably the most informative part of any screening series for arthritis. It is suggested that two views be obtained for evaluation: a posteroanterior (PA) view…

Evaluation of any articular disorder involves imaging the affected joints with the most appropriate modality. Imaging documents not only the extent and severity of joint involvement but also the progression…

Gout is the oldest recognized arthropathy. It was originally called podagra, from the Greek pous , meaning foot, and agra , meaning attack. In ancient history all arthritis was called…

In the practice of rheumatology, rheumatoid arthritis is considered the everyday disease. It is a symmetrical arthritis of the appendicular skeleton, sparing the axial skeleton except for the cervical spine….

Osteoarthritis is the most common arthropathy. Although many arthropathies lead to secondary osteoarthritic changes, this chapter deals with primary osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis secondary to alteration of normal mechanics across a…

There are a variety of disorders that affect the joints in children. In the past all of the disorders have been lumped together and labeled juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Although each…

The joint changes in hemophilia are secondary to chronic repetitive hemarthrosis and intraosseous bleeding. Hemarthrosis occurs in 75 to 90 percent of patients with hemophilia. The first bleed usually occurs…

Ankylosing spondylitis is the chronic inflammatory disease that affects primarily the axial skeleton and only secondarily the appendicular skeleton. It is seen predominantly in males between the ages of 15…

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), also known as ankylosing hyperostosis or Forestier disease, is not an arthropathy. The articular cartilage, adjacent bone margins, and synovium are not affected. DISH appears…

Hydroxyapatite deposition disease (HADD) is an extremely common disorder causing periarticular disease in the form of tendinitis or bursitis. Only rarely does it cause true articular disease. Calcium hydroxyapatite deposits…