Types of Synovial Joints
Joint pain DDx
Symptoms outside of Joints (extra articular)
Special tests – hip and spine
Thomas – for fixed flexion contracture of hip joint (patient lies supine on the examination table and brings one knee in direction to the chest/ flexes hip, while the other leg remains extended).
Sacroiliac stress – for sacroilitis
Straight leg raising and bowstring – for sciatica. Please also perform neurologic testing for evidence of nerve compression
Gout vs pseudogout
No crystals in joint aspirate
Monoarticular - Septic Joint
Acute Polyarthritis
Infection
Inflammatory
Temporal Patterns in Polyarthritis
Sacroilitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
OBSERVE
Special tests for carpal tunnel syndrome
Special tests: Knee joint effusions
Bulge sign (when there is minimal fluid)
Ballotment sign (when there is a lot of fluid -> don’t have to“milk it”)
Special tests at hip
Lasegue’s or straight leg raising test
Bowstring maneuver
Special tests for tenderness of sacroiliac joint