The patient presents with contracture deformities of the hand and complains of severe pain. What musculoskeletal disorder does this patient manifest?

Question

1. Rheumatoid arthritis
2. Osteomyelitis
3. Osteoporosis
4. Ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: The pattern of joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is typically polyarticular and symmetric. The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, and toes are most frequently involved, although RA can affect any joints.
Rationale 2: Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and does not result in contracture deformities. It may cause localized tenderness and other signs of infection such as fever, swelling, erythema, and lymph node involvement.
Rationale 3: Osteoporosis may cause pathologic fractures but does not cause joint deformity.
Rationale 4: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the axial skeleton and leads to pain and progressive stiffness of the spine.