Grand Canyon trip uncovers a rare syndrome after arthritis misdiagnosis

A healthy 55-year-old man developed neck and foot stiffness during a two‑week Grand Canyon rafting trip, followed by painful swelling in his shoulders and hands after returning home, leading doctors to misdiagnose his condition as arthritis. Subtle clues eventually revealed a rare syndrome, illustrating how early symptoms can mislead clinicians and delay a correct diagnosis in medicine.