- worst-case scenario
- Acute onset
- Consistent tenderness with all passive ROMs of joint
- Joint usually warm, red, swollen (Hip may be more subtle)
- Fevers (may be absent in very elderly)
- young women (most common)
- onset shortly after menses
- Joint fluid culture negative up to 50%
- culture cervix, urethra, rectum, maybe pharynx
See posting Monoarticular Arthritis.