Diferencia entre revisiones de «Monoarticular arthritis»
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== | ==Background== | ||
*Monoarticular arthritis (monoarthritis) refers to inflammation of a single joint<ref>Genes N, Chisolm-Straker M. Monoarticular arthritis update: Current evidence for diagnosis and treatment in the emergency department. Emerg Med Pract. 2012 May;14(5):1-19; quiz 19-20. PMID 22670394</ref> | |||
*The critical EM question is: Is this septic arthritis? | |||
*Septic arthritis is a joint emergency requiring urgent drainage — delay increases risk of joint destruction | |||
*Other common causes include crystal arthropathy ([[gout]], [[pseudogout]]) and traumatic hemarthrosis<ref>Keret S, et al. Approach to a patient with monoarticular disease. Autoimmun Rev. 2021 Jul;20(7):102848. PMID 33971340</ref> | |||
*[[Arthrocentesis]] is the key diagnostic procedure and should be performed on any hot, swollen joint without clear alternative diagnosis | |||
==Clinical Features== | |||
===History=== | |||
*Onset (acute vs. subacute), joint involved, trauma history | |||
*Prior episodes (recurrent suggests crystal disease) | |||
*Fever, chills, constitutional symptoms | |||
*Recent infection, skin break, surgery, or injection | |||
*Sexual history (disseminated gonococcal infection) | |||
*History of gout, pseudogout, or autoimmune disease | |||
*Immunosuppression, IV drug use, prosthetic joint | |||
=== === | ===Physical Exam=== | ||
*Joint warmth, erythema, effusion, decreased range of motion | |||
*Pain with passive range of motion (highly suggestive of intra-articular process) | |||
*Overlying skin: cellulitis, track marks, surgical scars, tophi | |||
*Assess for signs of systemic infection | |||
*Examine other joints (polyarticular process may present initially as monoarticular) | |||
===Red Flags for Septic Arthritis=== | |||
*Fever with acute monoarthritis | |||
*Recent bacteremia, skin infection, or surgical procedure | |||
*Prosthetic joint with new pain/swelling | |||
*Immunosuppressed patient | |||
*IV drug use | |||
*Non-weight-bearing or unable to flex joint | |||
== | ==Differential Diagnosis== | ||
{{Differential Diagnosis Monoarthritis}} | |||
===[[Septic Arthritis]]=== | |||
*[[Gonococcal arthritis]] | |||
*Nongonococcal Arthritis | |||
*Arthritis-Dermatitis Syndrome | |||
===Crystal-Induced Monoarthritis=== | |||
*[[Gout]] | |||
*[[Pseudogout]] | |||
===Traumatic=== | |||
*[[Fracture]] | |||
*Ligamentous injury | |||
*Overuse | |||
===Ischemic=== | |||
*[[Avascular necrosis]] | |||
*[[Decompression sickness]] | |||
*Spontaneous osteonecrosis | |||
**Pain in absence of trauma | |||
**Femoral head, medial condyle of knee | |||
===Hemorrhagic=== | |||
*Posttraumatic | |||
*[[Hemophilia]] | |||
*Systemic [[anticoagulation]] | |||
===Neoplastic=== | |||
*Metastases | |||
*Osteochondroma | |||
*Osteoid osteoma | |||
*Pigmented villonodular synovitis | |||
===Systemic Disease=== | |||
*Remote infection, infectious [[endocarditis]] | |||
*[[Rheumatic fever]] | |||
*Seronegative (no RF) spondyloarthropathies ([[ankylosing spondylitis]], [[IBD]], [[psoriatic arthritis|psoriatic]], [[reactive arthritis]]) | |||
*[[Rheumatoid arthritis]], [[SLE]] | |||
===Periarticular (Non-Articular)=== | |||
*[[Bursitis]] | |||
*[[Tendinitis]] | |||
*[[Cellulitis]] | |||
==Evaluation== | |||
===Arthrocentesis (Key Diagnostic Study)=== | |||
*Perform [[arthrocentesis]] on any acute hot, swollen joint unless clear alternative diagnosis | |||
*'''Do not delay arthrocentesis for imaging''' | |||
*Overlying cellulitis is a relative contraindication — consult orthopedics | |||
- | ===Synovial Fluid Analysis=== | ||
{{Arthrocentesis diagnostic chart}} | |||
*WBC >50,000/mm³ with >90% PMNs: highly suggestive of septic arthritis | |||
*Crystals: negatively birefringent (gout), positively birefringent (pseudogout) | |||
*Note: crystals and infection can coexist — always send culture even if crystals present | |||
*Gram stain: positive in ~50% of non-gonococcal septic arthritis | |||
*Culture: gold standard; also send blood cultures | |||
===Laboratory=== | |||
*[[CBC]] with differential, [[ESR]], [[CRP]] | |||
*Blood cultures (positive in ~50% of septic arthritis) | |||
*[[Uric acid]] (may be normal during acute gout flare) | |||
*GC/CT NAAT if disseminated gonococcal infection suspected | |||
- | ===Imaging=== | ||
*X-ray of affected joint: chondrocalcinosis (pseudogout), fracture, joint destruction | |||
*Ultrasound: confirm effusion, guide arthrocentesis | |||
*MRI if osteomyelitis or periarticular abscess suspected | |||
==Management== | |||
===Septic Arthritis=== | |||
*Emergent orthopedic consultation for surgical drainage/washout | |||
*Empiric IV antibiotics after arthrocentesis: | |||
**[[Vancomycin]] (MRSA coverage) for most patients | |||
**Add gram-negative coverage ([[ceftriaxone]] or [[cefepime]]) for immunocompromised, elderly, or IV drug users | |||
**[[Ceftriaxone]] alone if gonococcal arthritis suspected | |||
*Prosthetic joint infection: orthopedic consultation for operative management | |||
===Crystal Arthropathy=== | |||
*[[Gout]]: NSAIDs ([[indomethacin]], [[naproxen]]), [[colchicine]], or [[corticosteroids]] (PO or intra-articular) | |||
*[[Pseudogout]]: NSAIDs, [[colchicine]], or intra-articular/systemic corticosteroids | |||
*Avoid [[allopurinol]] initiation or changes during acute flare | |||
===Traumatic=== | |||
*Splinting, pain management | |||
*Orthopedic follow-up for hemarthrosis or fracture | |||
==Disposition== | |||
===Admit=== | |||
*Septic arthritis (for surgical drainage and IV antibiotics) | |||
*Prosthetic joint infection | |||
*Sepsis from joint source | |||
*Unable to rule out septic arthritis with pending cultures in high-risk patient | |||
===Discharge=== | |||
*Crystal arthropathy with adequate pain control | |||
*Traumatic arthritis/hemarthrosis with orthopedic follow-up arranged | |||
*Provide return precautions: fever, worsening pain/swelling, inability to bear weight | |||
*Primary care or rheumatology follow-up for gout/pseudogout management | |||
== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Septic arthritis]] | |||
*[[Gout]] | |||
*[[Pseudogout]] | |||
*[[Arthrocentesis]] | |||
*[[Gonococcal arthritis]] | |||
==External Links== | |||
==References== | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Orthopedics]] | |||
[[Category:Symptoms]] | |||
[[Category:Rheumatology]] | |||
[[Category: | |||
Revisión actual - 10:49 22 mar 2026
Background
- Monoarticular arthritis (monoarthritis) refers to inflammation of a single joint[1]
- The critical EM question is: Is this septic arthritis?
- Septic arthritis is a joint emergency requiring urgent drainage — delay increases risk of joint destruction
- Other common causes include crystal arthropathy (gout, pseudogout) and traumatic hemarthrosis[2]
- Arthrocentesis is the key diagnostic procedure and should be performed on any hot, swollen joint without clear alternative diagnosis
Clinical Features
History
- Onset (acute vs. subacute), joint involved, trauma history
- Prior episodes (recurrent suggests crystal disease)
- Fever, chills, constitutional symptoms
- Recent infection, skin break, surgery, or injection
- Sexual history (disseminated gonococcal infection)
- History of gout, pseudogout, or autoimmune disease
- Immunosuppression, IV drug use, prosthetic joint
Physical Exam
- Joint warmth, erythema, effusion, decreased range of motion
- Pain with passive range of motion (highly suggestive of intra-articular process)
- Overlying skin: cellulitis, track marks, surgical scars, tophi
- Assess for signs of systemic infection
- Examine other joints (polyarticular process may present initially as monoarticular)
Red Flags for Septic Arthritis
- Fever with acute monoarthritis
- Recent bacteremia, skin infection, or surgical procedure
- Prosthetic joint with new pain/swelling
- Immunosuppressed patient
- IV drug use
- Non-weight-bearing or unable to flex joint
Differential Diagnosis
Monoarticular arthritis
- Acute osteoarthritis
- Avascular necrosis
- Crystal-induced (Gout, Pseudogout)
- Gonococcal arthritis, arthritis-dermatitis syndrome
- Nongonococcal septic arthritis
- Lyme disease
- Malignancy (metastases, osteochondroma, osteoid osteoma)
- Reactive poststreptococcal arthritis
- Trauma-induced arthritis
- Fracture
- Ligamentous injury
- Overuse
- Avascular necrosis
- Decompression sickness
- Spontaneous osteonecrosis
- Hemorrhagic (e.g. hemophilia, systemic anticoagulation
- Seronegative spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, IBD, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis
- RA, SLE
- Sarcoidosis, amyloidosis
- Periarticular pathology
- Transient (Toxic) Synovitis (Hip)
- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
- Legg Calve Perthes Disease
Septic Arthritis
- Gonococcal arthritis
- Nongonococcal Arthritis
- Arthritis-Dermatitis Syndrome
Crystal-Induced Monoarthritis
Traumatic
- Fracture
- Ligamentous injury
- Overuse
Ischemic
- Avascular necrosis
- Decompression sickness
- Spontaneous osteonecrosis
- Pain in absence of trauma
- Femoral head, medial condyle of knee
Hemorrhagic
- Posttraumatic
- Hemophilia
- Systemic anticoagulation
Neoplastic
- Metastases
- Osteochondroma
- Osteoid osteoma
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis
Systemic Disease
- Remote infection, infectious endocarditis
- Rheumatic fever
- Seronegative (no RF) spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, IBD, psoriatic, reactive arthritis)
- Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE
Periarticular (Non-Articular)
Evaluation
Arthrocentesis (Key Diagnostic Study)
- Perform arthrocentesis on any acute hot, swollen joint unless clear alternative diagnosis
- Do not delay arthrocentesis for imaging
- Overlying cellulitis is a relative contraindication — consult orthopedics
Synovial Fluid Analysis
Arthrocentesis of synoval fluid
| Synovium | Normal | Noninflammatory | Inflammatory | Septic |
| Clarity | Transparent | Transparent | Cloudy | Cloudy |
| Color | Clear | Yellow | Yellow | Yellow |
| WBC | <200 | <200-2000 | 200-50,000 |
>1,100 (prosthetic joint) >25,000; LR=2.9 >50,000; LR=7.7 >100,000; LR=28 |
| PMN | <25% | <25% | >50% |
>64% (prosthetic joint) >90% |
| Culture | Neg | Neg | Neg | >50% positive |
| Lactate | <5.6 mmol/L | <5.6 mmol/L | <5.6 mmol/L | >5.6 mmol/L |
| LDH | <250 | <250 | <250 | >250 |
| Crystals | None | None | Multiple or none | None |
- Viscosity of synovial fluid may actually be decreased in inflammatory or infectious etiologies, as hyaluronic acid concentrations decrease
- The presence of crystals does not rule out septic arthritis; however, the diagnosis is highly unlikely with synovial WBC < 50,000[3]
- WBC >50,000/mm³ with >90% PMNs: highly suggestive of septic arthritis
- Crystals: negatively birefringent (gout), positively birefringent (pseudogout)
- Note: crystals and infection can coexist — always send culture even if crystals present
- Gram stain: positive in ~50% of non-gonococcal septic arthritis
- Culture: gold standard; also send blood cultures
Laboratory
- CBC with differential, ESR, CRP
- Blood cultures (positive in ~50% of septic arthritis)
- Uric acid (may be normal during acute gout flare)
- GC/CT NAAT if disseminated gonococcal infection suspected
Imaging
- X-ray of affected joint: chondrocalcinosis (pseudogout), fracture, joint destruction
- Ultrasound: confirm effusion, guide arthrocentesis
- MRI if osteomyelitis or periarticular abscess suspected
Management
Septic Arthritis
- Emergent orthopedic consultation for surgical drainage/washout
- Empiric IV antibiotics after arthrocentesis:
- Vancomycin (MRSA coverage) for most patients
- Add gram-negative coverage (ceftriaxone or cefepime) for immunocompromised, elderly, or IV drug users
- Ceftriaxone alone if gonococcal arthritis suspected
- Prosthetic joint infection: orthopedic consultation for operative management
Crystal Arthropathy
- Gout: NSAIDs (indomethacin, naproxen), colchicine, or corticosteroids (PO or intra-articular)
- Pseudogout: NSAIDs, colchicine, or intra-articular/systemic corticosteroids
- Avoid allopurinol initiation or changes during acute flare
Traumatic
- Splinting, pain management
- Orthopedic follow-up for hemarthrosis or fracture
Disposition
Admit
- Septic arthritis (for surgical drainage and IV antibiotics)
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Sepsis from joint source
- Unable to rule out septic arthritis with pending cultures in high-risk patient
Discharge
- Crystal arthropathy with adequate pain control
- Traumatic arthritis/hemarthrosis with orthopedic follow-up arranged
- Provide return precautions: fever, worsening pain/swelling, inability to bear weight
- Primary care or rheumatology follow-up for gout/pseudogout management
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Genes N, Chisolm-Straker M. Monoarticular arthritis update: Current evidence for diagnosis and treatment in the emergency department. Emerg Med Pract. 2012 May;14(5):1-19; quiz 19-20. PMID 22670394
- ↑ Keret S, et al. Approach to a patient with monoarticular disease. Autoimmun Rev. 2021 Jul;20(7):102848. PMID 33971340
- ↑ Shah K, Spear J, Nathanson LA, Mccauley J, Edlow JA. Does the presence of crystal arthritis rule out septic arthritis?. J Emerg Med. 2007;32(1):23-6.
