Emergency department evaluation of the swollen joint.
Pain, swelling, and limited range of motion of a joint are extremely common complaints in the emergency department. In assessing joint complaints it is helpful for the emergency physician to keep in mind the major categories of diagnostic possibilities; it is also useful to distinguish between chronic and acute problems and between monoarticular and polyarticular problems. The emergency physician does not need to make a precise diagnosis of every joint complaint, but it is essential that infectious arthritis not be missed.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000628:therapy; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004630:Emergencies; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications; D006395:Hemarthrosis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009068:Movement; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D011677:Punctures; D013396:Suction