137 - Monoarthritis + Gout

Question 1

What is monoarthritis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of one joint

Question 2

What can cause monoarthritis? (6 causes)

Answer 2

Infection - septic arthritis
Trauma
Gout/crystal arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Haemarthritis
Sero-negative arthritis

Question 3

What is haemarthritis, in whom would you expect to see it most?

Answer 3

Joint distended by blood

Seen in people with haemaphilia

Question 4

What is sero-negative arthritis? What is its other name?

Answer 4

Spondyloarthritis
Inflammation of a joint but without rheumatoid factor antibody.
eg. from psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis

Question 5

What investigations can you do for an inflamed joint?

Answer 5

Bloods: FBC, U+E, CRP, Blood culture,
Aspirate joint - Urgent gram stain. MC+S, crystal analysis.
X-ray

Question 6

What is septic arthritis?

Answer 6

Acute inflammation of the joint by a direct infection.

Question 7

What infections commonly cause Septic arthritis?

Answer 7

Bacterial - gonococcus, Staph aureus, Streptococcus
Myobacterial - TB
Fungal and viral is rare

Question 8

Who is likely to get septic arthritis?

Answer 8

Any age
Predisposing factors are: prosthetic joint, immunosupression, elderly, diabetes, RA, Joint damage previously, IV drug abuser (gives extra source for infection).

Question 9

What signs catagorise septic arthritis?

Answer 9

Sudden acute onset
Pain - difficulty weight bearing
Swelling
Erythema