Action
Patient presents with monoarticular arthritis:
- Provide pain control
- Provide supportive care (ice, immobilization, elevation)
- Consider ultrasound to diagnose effusion
Decision
Is effusion present?
No
Background
“There are patients for whom NSAID use is contraindicated, particularly those with true allergy, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, renal insufficiency, and labile hypertension. … An alternative for gastrointestinal toxicity is to co-administer a proton pump inhibitor, second generation antihistamine, or misoprostol.”
Effusion Present
No Effusion Present