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In addition to offering sessions that covered more traditional topics in pain management, including presentations on the evaluation and treatment of back pain, assessing sleep disturbance in fibromyalgia, and identifying changes in the neuromuscular system in osteoarthritis, this year's ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting also offered several additional sessions that addressed more off-the-beaten-path topics.

A 42-year-old Hispanic woman with a past medical history of HIV infection and noncompliance with highly active antiretroviral therapy was admitted to the emergency department with a new-onset generalized tonic-clonic seizure episode, followed by Todd paralysis.

The spectrum of spondyloarthritis disorders-typically including ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated SpA-are related clinically and genetically but are distinct entities.

Musculoskeletal pain is common. In one analysis, 33% of adults reported musculoskeletal pain from overuse as a chief complaint. Morbidity resulting from musculoskeletal pain contributes to 29% of lost workdays because of illness and is second only to cardiovascular disease in terms of economic burden

Early and accurate gout diagnosis and disease management are essential. Making the clinical diagnosis takes into consideration the differential diagnosis supported by the use of clinical, serological, and diagnostic studies.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex disorder of chronic, widespread pain and tenderness usually accompanied by numerous other symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, nonrestorative sleep, depression, anxiety, and stiffness.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a chronic connective-tissue disease that has a multitude of clinical manifestations. These authors offer a guide to recognition and pathogenesis, as well as counsel about management.

Chondroitin sulfate significantly decreases pain and improves hand function in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA), according to new research reported by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The agent also improves grip strength and relieves morning stiffness.

Familiarity with metatarsalgia, an array of disorders that cause pain to the forefoot, enhances the clinician's ability to make the proper diagnosis.

Recombinant uricases provide an exciting new therapeutic option for gout, but there are limited data for their use in the elderly.

Multidisciplinary management of fibromyalgia syndrome, including pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, is optimal. Exercise may improve patients’ symptoms and quality of life, but an exercise program may be challenging because of pain, stiffness, and fatigue.

A 10-year-old boy injured his left elbow during football practice. He subsequently had pain with normal range of motion of the elbow. He had minimal tenderness over his olecranon but no joint swelling, bruising, or palpable mass