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Approach to patient with joint pain
• Articular vs. periarticular (bursitis, tendinitis) source of pain: typically active ROM more painful than passive ROM in periarticular process • Inflammatory vs. noninflammatory pain: features of inflammatory arthropathy include joint swelling, warmth or redness, prolonged morning stiffness (>30 min), improvement of pain/stiffness w/ motion/exercise. Assess for extra-articular features. • Physical exam: localize complaint, identify signs of inflammation, and assess number and pattern of affected joints. key physical exam findings in joint pain
Figure 8-1 approach to arthritis
*WBC count of aspirated fluid in septic bursitis often < WBC count in septic arthritis.