[Management of monoarthritis in children]

Abstract

Joint swelling is common in childhood. The pattern of presentation, the duration and the location may reveal sometimes monoarthritis. A detailed clinical history, thorough clinical examination, and sometimes complementary tests are needed to reach the correct diagnosis. The single most important investigation in a child with acute monoarthritis is joint aspiration to rule out septic arthritis that may destroy the joint within few hours. Serum inflammatory markers, antinuclear antibody, tuberculosis testing, and imaging (in specific cases) play an important role in making the diagnosis. This article presents the clinical approach to the diagnosis of monoarthritis as well as the different causes of monoarthritis in children.