Can gout be mistaken for septic arthritis?
2. Infected joint (septic arthritis) A single joint that’s red, hot, and swollen might be gout — or it might be septic arthritis. To further add to the confusion, both conditions can cause you to develop a fever and for your white blood cell count to spike.
How can you tell the difference between gout and infection?
If you experience sudden, intense pain in a joint, call your doctor. Gout that goes untreated can lead to worsening pain and joint damage. Seek medical care immediately if you have a fever and a joint is hot and inflamed, which can be a sign of infection.
How can you tell the difference between gout and cellulitis?
The white blood cell count may be elevated in acute gout; fever is also a common finding. These two findings, while consistent with infection, cannot be used to confirm cellulitis, however. Gradual worsening of signs and symptoms in spite of treatment for gout also point towards cellulitis.
How do you rule out septic arthritis?
How is septic arthritis diagnosed?
- Removal of joint fluid. This is done to check for white blood cells and bacteria.
- Blood tests. These are done to look for bacteria.
- Phlegm, spinal fluid, and urine tests. These are done to look for bacteria and find the source of infection.
What does septic arthritis look like?
The joint could be swollen, red and warm, and you might have a fever. If septic arthritis occurs in an artificial joint (prosthetic joint infection), signs and symptoms such as minor pain and swelling may develop months or years after knee replacement or hip replacement surgery.
What are the symptoms of septic arthritis?
Septic arthritis symptoms may include:
- Chills.
- Fatigue and generalized weakness.
- Fever.
- Inability to move the limb with the infected joint.
- Severe pain in the affected joint, especially with movement.
- Swelling (increased fluid within the joint)
- Warmth (the joint is red and warm to touch because of increased blood flow)
What is the gold standard for diagnosing gout?
Demonstrating the presence of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joint fluid or tophus has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of gout.
What mimics septic arthritis?
Clinicians should consider mimics, such as abscess, avascular necrosis, cellulitis, crystal-induced arthropathies, Lyme disease, malignancy, osteomyelitis, reactive arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and transient synovitis.
When should you suspect septic arthritis?
The acute onset of monoarticular joint pain, erythema, heat, and immobility should raise suspicion of sepsis. Constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, and rigors are poorly sensitive for septic arthritis.
What are the symptoms of infectious arthritis?
Symptoms of infectious arthritis include:
- Intense pain in the joint.
- Joint redness and swelling.
- Chills and fever.
- Inability to move the area with the infected joint.
What is the difference between septic and reactive arthritis?
The two can cause similar symptoms. However, infectious arthritis results from an active infection in the joint, while reactive arthritis usually results from a recent infection elsewhere in the body.