Assessment of joint pain

• Joint pain can be referred from the joint above and below the presenting joint e.g. hip pathology can cause knee pain, so you should take a history of and examine all nearby joints
• Always consider serious causes of joint pain and look for red flags:

  • Any signs of infection (septic arthritis or osteomyelitis)
  • Any signs of underlying malignancy causing joint pain e.g. pathological fracture
  • Any signs of an inflammatory polyarthritis
  • Any signs of significant bony or soft tissue injury such as fractures, dislocation, and tendon/ligament rupture