When faced with<unk> , one of the main decisions to make is whether to perform a joint aspirate by inserting a needle into the affected joint and removing some fluid for microscopic analysis. This decision is largely taken on inflammatory markers in blood tests (e.g. CRP), fever and the clinical picture. The main use of aspiration is to detect bacteria and neutrophil granulocytes (in septic arthritis) and crystals (crystal arthropathies).
Monoarthritis
Polyarthritis
Arthralgia
Arthritis
Myositis
Compression arthralgia
Road rash
Serositis