A 47-year-old woman presents to the clinic with a four-week history of fatigue, bilateral hand pain and stiffness, and hand and wrist joint swelling

Musculoskeletal System Case Study

Discussion Requirements

Your posts in the discussion area should exhibit careful thought and logical reasoning and provide evidence for your position. Each post should be at least one well-developed paragraph (approximately 4-6 sentences or more, unless otherwise indicated). Use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The discussions must be completed by the due dates specified on the assignment itself and also specified in the Topical Outline and on the Course Schedule in the Start Here Module. Cite sources used. 

Instructions: 

• Discussion Prompt: A 47-year-old woman presents to the clinic with a four-week history of fatigue, bilateral hand pain and stiffness, and hand and wrist joint swelling. About a month before presentation, she noticed that her hands were stiffer in the morning but thought that it was due to too much typing. However, the stiffness has worsened, and she now needs about an hour each morning to “loosen up” her hands. As the day goes on, the stiffness improves, although it does not go away entirely. She has also noticed that her knuckles and wrists are swollen and feel somewhat warm. The physical examination reveals warm, erythematous wrists and metacarpal joints bilaterally. Hand x-ray films show periarticular demineralization and erosions, and blood test results are significant for a mild anemia, elevated sedimentation rate, and a positive rheumatoid factor. The patient is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

◦ What is the basic pathogenic process in rheumatoid arthritis?

◦ Describe the interplay between genetic and environmental factors that leads to the pathogenic process.

◦ How are novel treatments being used to treat this condition?