A Guide to Joint Pain and Autoimmunity

Joint pains are common and can occur due to injury, degenerative changes in the joint or activation of the immune system. This book describes common causes of joint pain and introduces the reader to autoimmune diseases. It reviews lab tests, advantages and pitfalls of imaging modalities like x-rays and MRI and introduces the reader to medicines used to treat pain and inflammation. Common conditions affecting the spine, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees and feet are described. Diseases like gout, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, hypermobility and Raynaud's and autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, myositis and scleroderma are reviewed. This book will introduce the reader to the fascinating world of the human body and help those with rheumatic conditions become informed participants in their care.