In the "new" criteria, serology and autoimmune diagnostics carries major weight, as ACPA detection is appropriate to diagnose the disease in an early state, before joints destructions occur. Destruction of the joints viewed in radiological images was a significant point of the ACR criteria from 1987. This criterion no longer is regarded to be relevant, as this is just the type of damage that treatment is meant to avoid. Differential diagnoses
Several other medical conditions can resemble RA, and need to be distinguished from it at the time of diagnosis:
Crystal induced arthritis (gout, and pseudogout) – usually involves particular joints (knee, MTP1, heels) and can be distinguished with an aspiration of joint fluid if in doubt. Redness, asymmetric distribution of affected joints, pain occurs at night and the starting pain is less than an hour with gout. Osteoarthritis – distinguished with X-rays of the affected joints and blood tests, older age, starting pain less than an hour, asymmetric distribution of affected joints and pain worsens when using joint for longer periods. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – distinguished by specific clinical symptoms and blood tests (antibodies against double-stranded DNA)
One of the several types of psoriatic arthritis resembles RA – nail changes and skin symptoms distinguish between them
Lyme disease causes erosive arthritis and may closely resemble RA – it may be distinguished by blood test in endemic areas
Reactive arthritis – asymmetrically involves heel, sacroiliac joints and large joints of the leg. It is usually associated with urethritis, conjunctivitis, iritis, painless buccal ulcers, and keratoderma blennorrhagica.
Surgical therapies include:

Distal and proximal osteotomies of the 5th metatarsal can be used to correct the intermetatarsal and metatarsophalangeal angle causing the TB. Diagnosis
Tailors bunion is easily diagnosed because the protrusion is visually apparent. X-rays may be ordered to help the surgeon find out the severity of the deformity. Types of Tailors bunions
Type 1: The head of the 5th metatarsal is thickened and enlarged. Type 2: A 5th metatarsal with an increased lateral curve and a normal fourth and fifth inter-metatarsal angle. Type 3: Has the greatest lateral angular disposition of the 5th metatarsal compared to the 4th metatarsal, this phenomenon increases the 4th and 5th inter-metatarsal angles. This is generally the most symptomatic type of Tailors bunion. Type 4: A combination of at least two types of bunionettes (TB). Lesser toe deformities leading to falls
Five studies examined associations between falls and foot disorders. Significant associations were found between falls and plantar fasciitis, corns or bunions and lesser toe deformity (such as Tailors bunions). The results of these studies show that "Older people who fell were more likely to have foot pain, hallux valgus, and lesser toe deformity". See also

Tailors muscle
Bunion, also known as hallux valgus, a similar condition of the big toe. == References ==