ABSTRACT
IS THE PATIENT’S LIFE AT RISK? ■ First, rule out the possibility of a musculoskeletal emergency. ■ The presence of a warm, swollen, tender joint mandates
immediate evaluation. ■ Red flags include
▲ Fever, chills, weight loss, night sweats ▲ Trauma to a limb or joint area ▲ Neurologic compromise ▲ Acute onset of symptoms
■ Septic arthritis is the most important cause of acute joint pain to rule out; it is a medical emergency.
