Management of a Hot Swollen Joint in the Acute Setting.

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.