Joint pain of recent onset.

A joint pain of recent onset is a common and often challenging problem to the family physician. The many etiologies of acute arthritis require a systematic approach to a careful definition of the problem which is essential to safe and effective therapy. The proper evaluation of joint pain of recent onset requires a detailed history and physical examination as well as a rationally selected battery of laboratory studies. This paper provides the busy physician with a specific approach to the diagnosis of acute joint pain as the basis for precise management.