[Characteristic joint function disorders in inflammatory and degenerative rheumatism].

Inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases show a characteristic local picture. So it is recommended that a joint examination of the joint movement extent alone is not sufficient, all articular and periarticular structures must be included. In this way it is possible to differentiate on a clinical basis inflammatory and degenerative arthropathies and also to determine the stage of inflammation. Including the joint pattern, the findings of the general examination and the case history of arthropathy can be mostly diagnosed as a distinct type of rheumatism. The directed laboratory and X-ray examination confirms the diagnosis which already has been made clinically. Therefore the physical examination of the joints is of greatest importance in rheumatology.