Rapid access microscopy and real-time case discussion via a secure messaging app improves diagnostic accuracy and management of acute hot swollen joints.

ABSTRACT: Patients with acute swollen joints are often presumed to have septic arthritis, leading to intravenous antibiotics and arthroscopic washout. Previously at our centre, joint fluid aspirates often lacked crystal analysis, resulting in excess culture-negative septic arthritis diagnoses. We developed a 'Hot Joint Pathway', hypothesising that since acute crystal arthropathy can be misdiagnosed as 'culture-negative septic arthritis', introducing the pathway would improve diagnostic accuracy.This pathway provides a structured approach for investigating acutely swollen joints, distinguishing septic arthritis from crystal arthritis. Key features include a secure messaging app for multidisciplinary discussion and rheumatology-led point-of-care polarised light microscopy (POC PLM) <24 hours 6 days pe

SUBMITTER: Lewis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12406939 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature