Assessment of the Patient with Acute Arthritis - Flowchart
Assessment of the Patient with Acute Arthritis - Flowchart Assessment of the Patient with Acute Arthritis Assessment of the Patient with Acute Arthritis
Flowchart

Acute arthritis (Table 28.1)

Acute arthritis (Table 28.1)

Acute arthritis (Table 28.1)

Table 28.1

End

End

End

Key observations (Table 1.1)
Focused assessment (Table 28.2)
Urgent investigation (Table 28.3)

Key observations (Table 1.1)
Focused assessment (Table 28.2)
Urgent investigation (Table 28.3)

Key observations (Table 1.1)
Focused assessment (Table 28.2)
Urgent investigation (Table 28.3)

Table 1.1
Table 28.2
Table 28.3

One joint or more than one joint involved?

One joint or more than one joint involved?

One joint or more than one joint involved?

One joint

One joint

One joint

More than one joint

More than one joint

More than one joint

Urgent rheumatology opinion

Urgent rheumatology opinion

Urgent rheumatology opinion

Treat cause (Table 28.1)

Treat cause (Table 28.1)

Treat cause (Table 28.1)

Table 28.1

Joint aspiration (Chapter 124)

Joint aspiration (Chapter 124)

Joint aspiration (Chapter 124)

Chapter 124

Cause known?

Cause known?

Cause known?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Start IV antibiotic therapy (Table 28.4)
Urgent orthopaedic/rheumatology opinion

Start IV antibiotic therapy (Table 28.4)
Urgent orthopaedic/rheumatology opinion

Start IV antibiotic therapy (Table 28.4)
Urgent orthopaedic/rheumatology opinion

Table 28.4

Treat with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Rheumatology opinion
Further management directed by diagnosis (Table 28.5)

Treat with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Rheumatology opinion
Further management directed by diagnosis (Table 28.5)

Treat with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Rheumatology opinion
Further management directed by diagnosis (Table 28.5)



Table 28.5

Organsims on Gram stain or high probability of septic arthritis?

Organsims on Gram stain or high probability of septic arthritis?

Organsims on Gram stain or high probability of septic arthritis?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No