Hauwa Y., 14

Hauwa Yusuf is a 14-year-old girl and the first born in a family of four. Her father Yunusa works as a school watchman and earns about ₦10,000 per month. The family resides in Gashu’a in a modest mud house. Hauwa is known to be sociable and enjoys making new friends. She has a strong ambition of becoming a medical doctor in the future. Hauwa Yusuf, a 14-year-old girl, was apparently healthy until about three days before her admission to the hospital when she developed pain that started around her waist and gradually spread to her thigh and knee. The pain progressively worsened, making it difficult for her to walk and carry out her normal daily activities. She was evaluated at the hospital where she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis R/O hyperuricemia.

Hauwa Yusuf was admitted to the hospital, following complaints of severe leg pain and difficulty walking. Upon admission, she underwent medical evaluation, including a detailed history and physical examination and diagnosed with osteoarthritis R/O hyperuricemia. She was commenced on appropriate medications for pain relief and supportive care aimed at improving her mobility and reducing joint discomfort. Following treatment, her condition showed improvement, with a reduction in pain and better ability to move. She continues to receive medical follow-up and is expected to make further progress with adherence to treatment and ongoing care.

Based on the clinical assessment and findings, Hauwa Yusuf is suffering from osteoarthritis R/O hyperuricemia which has manifested with pain involving the waist, thigh, and knee joint, leading to difficulty in walking and limitation of her daily activities. The complications of osteoarthritis include chronic debilitating pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety or depression, and severe joint deformity that can lead to permanent mobility loss and an increased risk of falls The prognosis for osteoarthritis is manageable but chronic. If hyperuricemia is successfully ruled out, the prognosis simplifies because the patient avoids the recurring, highly destructive inflammatory flares and joint damage unique to uncontrolled gout.