title: Problem based review: The patient with acute monoarthritis.
abstract: Acute monoarthritis is a common medical emergency with wide differential diagnosis. Common underlying causes include trauma, septic arthritis, crystal induced arthritis (gout and pseudogout), and reactive arthritis. Of these, septic arthritis is the diagnosis not to miss because of its association with significant morbidity and mortality. Precise diagnosis of the underlying cause of monoarthritis relies on a good history, physical examination findings, and results of focussed investigations. In this article, a practical approach to diagnosis and initial management of patients presenting with acute monoarthritis is described with the aid of a case vignette.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Alexandra Hospital, Jurong Health, 378 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159964. dr_esuresh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suresh
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005436:Floxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D013582:Synovial Fluid
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D004008:Diclofenac; D005436:Floxacillin; D000493:Allopurinol; D003078:Colchicine