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Rheumatoid arthritis - Management
Other causes of worsening joint symptoms
- Secondary osteoarthritis — prolonged symptoms with muscle wasting, instability, crepitus, reduced range of movement, minimal or no synovitis.
- Osteoporotic fracture — onset of pain and immobility, or a history of minimal trauma.
- Avascular necrosis — sudden onset of pain in a person taking corticosteroids, in the absence of synovitis.
- Cervical myelopathy or nerve root compression — sudden or insidious onset of neck pain (although pain may be absent), or weakness, unsteadiness, or paraesthesia in the presence of established rheumatoid arthritis and marked destruction of peripheral joints.
- Comorbid conditions such as anaemia, infection.
- Psychological and social problems.
- Failure to take medication regularly.
- Failure of medication to control symptoms.
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