Causes of arthrisits

Question 1

Causes of acute monoarthritis

Answer 1

This is septic arthritis unless otherwise proven

Infections
Streptococcal most common

Crystal-induced
Gout -often men
Pseudogout -often elderly women with severe OA


Trauma
Haemarthrosis

Question 2

Causes of chronic monoarthritis

Answer 2

Infections
Always consider TB

Inflammatory
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) Reactive arthritis Foreign body

Non-inflammatory
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Traumatic e.g. meniscal tear
Osteonecrosis (associated with prednisolone use) Neuropathic – Charcot’s joint

Tumours
All are rare

Question 3

Causes of acute polyarthritis

Answer 3

Inflammatory arthritis
RA, PsA, reactive arthritis

Autoimmune arthritis
e.g. SLE, vasculitis

Viral infection
e.g. HIV, Chikungunya, parvovirus

Crystal arthritis
Uncontrolled gout

Question 4

Causes of chronic ( > 3 months) polyarthritis

Answer 4

Inflammatory arthritis
RA, PsA, reactive arthritis

Autoimmune arthritis
e.g. SLE, vasculitis

Crystal arthritis
Uncontrolled gout

Question 5

Causes of arthritis of the DIPJs

Answer 5

PsA - will also be nail dystrophy on the affected digit

OA is the commonest disorder affecting this joint (Heberden’s nodes)