Acute monoarticular arthritis. A diagnostic approach
J. F. Freed, K. M. Nies, R. S. Boyer and J. S. Louie
A group of adult patients with acute nontraumatic monoarticular arthritis
was studied. Using only the traditional clinical tools of history, physical
examination, joint x-ray films, and synovial fluid culture, Gram's stain,
and examination for crystals, 74% of the diagnoses made were achieved
either immediately or within two to three days. Overall, 64% of the cases
were diagnosed during follow-up. Other tests were not found to be helpful
in the acute situation and should be utilized only if the tests already
mentioned fail to yield a diagnosis. The prognosis of patients with acute
monoarthritis that remains undiagnosed after thorough evaluation is
generally good.
