A 30-year-old man presents with a painful swollen knee after twisting it while playing football. There is an effusion but no fever. He can partially w...

Question

A 30-year-old man presents with a painful swollen knee after twisting it while playing football. There is an effusion but no fever. He can partially weight-bear. What clinical feature would MOST strongly suggest septic arthritis instead of a simple ligamentous injury?

Accepted Answer

Fever and inability to weight-bear with severe pain on passive movement

Answer

History of trauma

Answer

Joint effusion

Answer

Positive anterior draw test

Answer

Joint line tenderness

au-acem MCQ (SBA): Septic arthritis recognition

A 30-year-old man presents with a painful swollen knee after twisting it while playing football. There is an effusion but no fever. He can partially weight-bear. What clinical feature would MOST strongly suggest septic arthritis instead of a simple ligamentous injury?