Presenting complaint

To start the consultation, you ask her, 'What has brought you here today?'

'This is going to sound really silly doctor' Janice tells you, 'but I think I have arthritis. My Gran, whose 87 today actually, has arthritis in her hands and hips, and for the last few weeks I have had really painful joints in my hands.'

You ask her futher questions and find out the joints in her hands, fingers and the base of her fingers are affected in both hands throughout the day, but they have been more painful recently. Due to the pain she has been experiencing a little bit of stiffness but no swelling.