[Practical differential diagnosis in acute arthritis].
The most common cause for acute arthritis are crystal arthropathies, sero-negative spondarthritides and reactive inflammatory arthritis. In any case, the possibility of a purulent-septic arthritis must be excluded because of the prognostic consequences. Precise rheumatological case history and careful examination are relevant tools in providing a differential diagnosis; laboratory findings may be of great help as well. A flow-chart is suggested for rational diagnosis.
Acute Disease↗