A 58-year-old man presents with sudden onset swelling, redness, and pain of his right knee. He is febrile at 38.3°C and has restricted range of motion...

Question

A 58-year-old man presents with sudden onset swelling, redness, and pain of his right knee. He is febrile at 38.3°C and has restricted range of motion. He has a history of osteoarthritis but no known gout. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Arrange urgent arthrocentesis for synovial fluid analysis and culture

Answer

Start oral NSAIDs without further investigation

Answer

Order an MRI of the knee before any invasive procedure

Answer

Start empirical oral antibiotics and review in 3 days

Answer

Inject intra-articular corticosteroids immediately

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Septic arthritis of native joint

A 58-year-old man presents with sudden onset swelling, redness, and pain of his right knee. He is febrile at 38.3°C and has restricted range of motion. He has a history of osteoarthritis but no known gout. What is the most appropriate next step in management?