Most clinicians have at least one patient or know someone who suffers acute or chronic rheumatism.
Although primary care physicians generally diagnose and treat the six rheumatic disorders described in Algorithm 1, afflicted patients may also consult a variety of other clinicians. A patient with mild signs and symptoms who has not consulted a physician about them can benefit from your explanation of the importance of early treatment. This course provides the criteria for specific diseases in the appropriate chapters. Patients with manifestations of rheumatism should be given a complete physical examination by a primary care physician. Inspection, palpation, and range of motion provide initial data on patients' skin and their musculoskeletal systems, including the joints, articular cartilage, bone, and skeletal muscle.