Issue 9/2024
Kotov, G.
The term ‘monoarthritis’ is used to denote the presence of pain and swelling, as well as other symptoms of inflammation (stiffness, redness, heat) in a single joint. It is a relatively common pathology both in the general medical practice, as well as in the office of the specialist in rheumatology and requires a broad differential diagnosis which includes inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases, autoinflammatory syndromes, traumas, endocrine and metabolic disorders, etc. Clarifying several characteristic features of the symptoms is pivotal in the choice of subsequent laboratory and imaging examinations. The aim of the present article is to provide schematic guidelines for the construction of differential diagnosis plan in a patient with monoarthritis.
Key words: monoarthritis, differential diagnosis, gout, osteoarthritis, septic arthritis, reactive arthritis, autoinflammatory syndromes
Аddress for correspondence:
Dr. Georgi Kotov
Rheumatology Clinic, UMBAL „St. Ivan Rilski“
13, “Urvich”, Str.
1612, Sofia
е-mail: gn_kotov@abv.bg