Mechanic's hand: is it a marker of disease relapse?

The article describes the case of a 33-year-old woman who presented with a three-month history of gradually progressive, symmetrical proximal muscle weakness with inflammatory polyarthritis. Topics covered include the findings of the physical examination and electromyography which led to the diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome, patient outcome following treatment with prednisolone and methotrexate, and the appearance of mechanic's hand after the relapse of her myositis and arthritis.