Inflammatory back pain associated with nail-patella syndrome: A case report

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS), a rare genetic disorder with multisystemic implications that affects the kidneys, joints, bones, and nails, exhibits significant phenotypic heterogeneity, leading to diverse clinical presentations and prompting patients to seek medical attention. This report details the case of a male patient presenting with inflammatory back pain, whose subsequent diagnostic evaluations revealed skeletal anomalies consistent with NPS.

A male patient in his mid-thirties was diagnosed with inflammatory back pain associated with NPS.

The patient presented with hypoplastic nails, malformation of elbow joints, and dysplastic patellae. Computed tomography revealed an iliac angle deformity, which is a cardinal feature of NPS. The diagnostic criteria for NPS were based on clinical manifestations and computed tomography results.

The patient was prescribed celecoxib (0.2 grams orally once daily) for 1 week, along with physical therapy exercises.

During the 3-month follow-up period, gradual improvement in the patient's low back pain was observed.

This case underscores the importance of considering NPS in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory back pain.