Clinical Presentation & Protocol
Patient Usually Complains Of
Patient presents with acute onset of severe left knee pain, swelling, and erythema. Reports inability to bear weight, associated with fever and chills. Denies recent trauma, but notes progressive worsening of symptoms over the past [X] hours/days.
Clinical Examination Findings
Left knee exam: Significant joint effusion, warmth, and marked erythema. Tenderness to palpation throughout the joint line. Range of motion is severely limited by pain, both active and passive. No signs of cellulitis or distal neurovascular deficit.
Treatment Protocol
Urgent joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) performed for synovial fluid analysis (cell count, differential, Gram stain, and culture). Initiated empiric IV antibiotics pending culture results. Orthopedic surgery consultation requested for emergent surgical washout/debridement. Pain management and immobilization of the left knee.