An approach to monoarthritis

Monoarthritis can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory, and can be acute or chronic. A thorough history and physical examination can differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory monoarthritis. The most common causes of acute inflammatory monoarthritis are infectious arthritis, crystal induced arthritis (gout and pseudogout). Examination of synovial fluid often is essential in making a definitive diagnosis. Immunoinflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, spondyloarthritis, Behηet′s disease, and reactive arthritis can all begin as acute inflammatory monarthritis. Synovial biopsy is useful to diagnose chronic infections like tuberculosis and brucellosis. In order to arrive at a final diagnosis other organ systems should be thoroughly reviewed, because other systemic illness like sickle cell disease, thalassemia, sarcoidosis can all cause monoarthritis.