A 62-year-old man presents with an acutely swollen, hot and very painful right knee. He is febrile at 38.9°C and feels unwell. There is marked restric...

Question

A 62-year-old man presents with an acutely swollen, hot and very painful right knee. He is febrile at 38.9°C and feels unwell. There is marked restriction of movement. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Arrange urgent joint aspiration for Gram stain, culture and crystal analysis and start empirical intravenous antibiotics

Answer

Start oral NSAIDs and review in 48 hours

Answer

Order a plain X-ray and arrange routine orthopaedic clinic review

Answer

Inject intra-articular steroid in the emergency department

Answer

Advise rest, ice and elevation only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Septic arthritis

A 62-year-old man presents with an acutely swollen, hot and very painful right knee. He is febrile at 38.9°C and feels unwell. There is marked restriction of movement. What is the most appropriate immediate management?