Author Question: How are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis different? ... (Read 97 times)

azncindy619 · **on:** Feb 28, 2019

How are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis different?

Question 2

A high school student comes to the emergency room complaining of persistent pain and stiffness in her shoulder joint. In talking with her, you discover that she has been spending many hours trying to improve her pitching skills for her school's softball team. What is likely causing the pain?

SVictor · **Reply #1 on:** Feb 28, 2019

Answer to Question 1

Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear disease seen usually in the elderly. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks synovial joints, triggered by an infection or some other cause.

Answer to Question 2

Her pain is probably caused by injury to the rotator cuff, which can result from repetitive motion, trauma, or excessive force. The rotator cuff consists of the tendons of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. If torn, surgical repair may be indicated.