A 49-Year-Old Man With Cough and Hand, Wrist, and Knee Pain

A 49-year-old man was sent by his primary care physician to the rheumatology clinic with complaints of several months of bilateral lower extremity swelling. The swelling migrated from both ankles up to his knees. Presenting symptoms consisted of bilateral knee pain as well as bilateral wrist and hand pain with swelling. Pulmonary symptoms consisted of a nagging productive cough of several months. He also complained of significant weight loss: 50 pounds over 12 months. He was a never smoker. The examination was notable for bilateral knee effusions. Radiographs of his wrists, hands, and knee were obtained, along with a chest radiograph. He was then referred to a pulmonologist for further workup.