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Current Rheumatology Reviews

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ISSN (Print): 1573-3971
ISSN (Online): 1875-6360

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Perspective

Management of a Hot Swollen Joint in the Acute Setting

Author(s): Jamie Sin Ying Ho, Andrew Kailin Zhou*, Caitlyn Tran, Eric Jou, Milind Girish, Azeem Thahir, Shirom Chabra and Hassan Abbas Hussain

Volume 18, Issue 3, 2022

Published on: 07 March, 2022

Page: [173 - 177] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1573397118666220113114104

Abstract

Background: The presentation of a hot swollen joint is common in the emergency department, general practice, rheumatology and orthopedic clinics. There is a wide set of differential diagnoses for a hot swollen joint, thus making it difficult to diagnose and manage, especially for junior doctors. Initially, it is pertinent to exclude/diagnose medical and surgical emergencies.

Objective: This paper aims to summarize the key indications within the history, examination and investigations in order to quickly and effectively diagnose a hot swollen joint based on the original 2006 management guidelines and the papers discussing other possible indications and management strategies published since then.

Results: Currently, the management of crystal and non-infectious arthropathies is well recognized with little disparity. However, the treatment of infectious arthritis is not concrete, and there are discrepancies in management between doctors.

Conclusion: We have summarized the key indications and provided a diagnostic flow chart to aid with the management of a hot swollen joint.

Keywords: Hot swollen joint, septic arthritis, gout, joint pain, monoarticular arthritis, acute management, crystal arthropathy.

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