Acute arthritis
Gomes, M.; Vaith, P.
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 146(16): 34-37
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3276 PMID: 15222498 Document Number: 570198
In the case of inflammatory disease of the joints, the first diagnostic step is to determine whether the patient has monoarthritis, oligoarthritis or polyarthritis. After excluding a septic or a crystal-related process by joint puncture and synovial fluid analysis, further laboratory investigations including immunological and bacteriological tests can contribute to the diagnosis, and imaging procedures may also be useful. Primary therapy can be provided with NSAIDs or easy-on-the-stomach coxibs. Where indicated, antibiotics or, if warranted by the diagnosis and in the presence of persistent effusion, corticosteroids.