[Diagnostic clues in the clinical diagnosis of joint diseases].

Most rheumatic joint diseases can be diagnosed by a careful clinical history and examination of the patient. The differential diagnosis considers typical age at onset, sex, pattern of joint involvement and the occurrence of extra-articular manifestations. In addition to laboratory tests and joint fluid examination, conventional radiographic investigations are very important for both the assessment of the diagnosis and the evaluation of the disease process in patients with rheumatic joint disorders.