Answer :
Final answer:
Boutonniere deformity is commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the synovium of joints causing pain, swelling, and characteristic joint deformities.
Explanation:
Boutonniere deformity is a condition often associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a chronic inflammatory disorder. In RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, especially the synovium, which is the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This leads to inflammation that can eventually result in joint damage, including characteristic deformities such as Boutonniere deformity, where there is a fixed flexion posture of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint with hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, typically of the fingers.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often experience swollen, stiff, and painful joints, primarily in the hands, feet, and cervical spine. The condition is more common in women, particularly post-menopausal individuals, and typically begins between the ages of 40 to 50. The destruction of articular cartilage, inflammation of joint capsules and synovial membranes, and joint deformation are among the effects of RA, which can lead to severe disability.
Given this information, the final answer is that Boutonniere deformity is seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment options for RA aim to alleviate symptoms and might include exercise, anti-inflammatory and pain medications, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and possibly surgery, although there is currently no cure for the disease itself.
