Cause | Common Features* | Tests |
---|---|---|
Crystal-induced arthritis ( gout Gout Gout is a disorder in which deposits of uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints because of high blood levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia). The accumulations of crystals cause flares (attacks)... read more and related disorders such as calcium pyrophosphate arthritis Calcium Pyrophosphate (CPP) Arthritis Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) arthritis (previously called pseudogout) is a disorder caused by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in the joint cartilage, leading to intermittent... read more ) | Sudden and severe pain, swelling, warmth, and decreased range of motion, particularly in the great toe, ankle, wrist, or knee Sometimes with redness of the skin Often prior similar episodes of pain that resolved with or without treatment | Withdrawal and testing of joint fluid (joint aspiration) to look for crystals Sometimes ultrasound, CT, or x-rays |
Hemarthrosis (blood in the joint)† | Symptoms may be spontaneous or begin soon after an injury Usually in a person with a recent injury or a bleeding disorder | Withdrawal and testing of joint fluid (joint aspiration) Sometimes CT or MRI |
Infectious arthritis Infectious Arthritis Infectious arthritis is infection in the fluid and tissues of a joint usually caused by bacteria but occasionally by viruses or fungi. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may spread through the bloodstream... read more (for example, a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection or tuberculosis)‡ | Sudden and severe pain, swelling, warmth, and decreased range of motion Sometimes gradual pain and swelling | Withdrawal and testing of joint fluid (joint aspiration) |
Injury, such as a fracture or abnormality inside the joint that interferes with joint motion (for example, abnormal joint cartilage due to a torn knee meniscus) | Symptoms begin immediately after injury Often swelling | X-rays Sometimes MRI Sometimes insertion of a viewing scope into the joint (arthroscopy) |
Sudden start of pain in one joint that may move from one joint to another Usually body aches, fever, and severe fatigue Usually begins several days to weeks after person had a rash with one or more red blotches with a clear center Often after a tick bite in an area where Lyme disease is common (tick bite may not be noticed) | Blood test for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease | |
Slowly progressive pain in older people or young people who frequently stress the affected joint (for example, doing manual labor or high-impact sports) | X-rays | |
Joint pain in people who have taken or currently take corticosteroids or who have sickle cell disease | X-rays plus MRI | |
Can cause pain in a single joint, usually with swelling (more often causes pain in several joints) Usually in people known to have psoriasis | Sometimes x-rays | |
Slowly progressive joint pain usually with swelling Often pain at night | X-rays and MRI | |
* Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. | ||
† These causes are rare. | ||
‡ Infectious arthritis occurs more frequently in people with a weakened immune system (caused by a disorder or drugs), intravenous drug users, people with diabetes, and people at risk of sexually transmitted infections. | ||
CT = computed tomography; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging. |