Virtual Trauma Meetings at the Grand Academy of Lagado - 68 Year Old Male, Acute Knee Swelling

Description

In this virtual trauma meeting led by Sally Rankin, participants engage in an open case-based discussion focused on enhancing orthopedic knowledge. The case presented involves a 68-year-old man with worsening right knee pain and swelling over three days, leading to difficulty in weight-bearing. He has a history of type 2 diabetes and is currently on metformin, without recent trauma or significant activities that might explain his condition. Upon examination, the patient exhibits a swollen, hot, and tender knee with reduced range of motion and signs of a large effusion.



The discussion addresses potential diagnoses, prominently considering septic arthritis, given the patient's symptoms and underlying health conditions. Risk factors for joint infection due to diabetes are also explored, alongside discussions on the implications of septic arthritis which includes cartilage destruction and systemic illness. Several diagnostic strategies are proposed including blood tests, imaging, and joint aspiration to analyze synovial fluid for signs of infection or crystals indicating gout or pseudo-gout.



The meeting highlights the importance of biopsy in diagnosing septic arthritis and emphasizes the need for careful patient management, including the initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics and monitoring blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. The presentation concludes with a review of potential surgical interventions, such as joint washouts, while reiterating the urgency of addressing septic joint issues in clinical practice.

Specialties