[Diagnosis. History and physical examination].
Family physicians play a key role in the diagnosis and management of patients with osteoarthritis. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and radiological. A complete history should be taken with meticulous physical examination of the joints. The history-taking should aim to detect risk factors and compatible clinical symptoms. Pain characteristics should be identified, distinguishing between mechanical and inflammatory pain, and an exhaustive examination of the joints should be performed, with evaluation of the presence of pain, deformity, mobility restrictions (both active and passive), crepitus, joint effusion, and inflammation. A differential diagnosis should be made with all diseases that affect the joints and/or produce joint stiffness.
Especialista en Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Miembro del Grupo Nacional de Enfermedades Reumatológicas de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, CS Centro, Santander, España. Electronic address: alvaroperezma@yahoo.es.
Álvaro
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Pérez Martín
D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination
Artrosis; Diagnosis; Diagnóstico; Examen físico; Osteoarthritis; Physical examination