Thread by @Rheumat_Aravind

💡 “When Joint Pain Is NOT Arthritis” — The 7 Red Flags Every Doctor Should Know

Tweet 1:
“Not every swollen or painful joint is arthritis. Missing the real cause can delay life-saving treatment.
Here are 7 red flags that should make you think beyond rheumatology 👇”
@IhabFathiSulima @DrAkhilX @CelestinoGutirr @SarahSchaferMD @NeuroSjogrens #MedTwitter

Tweet 2:
1️⃣ Fever + Acute Monoarthritis
•Think septic arthritis until proven otherwise
•Don’t start steroids until infection is ruled out

Tweet 3:
2️⃣ Joint Pain + Rash + Low Platelets
•Could be dengue or other viral fevers
•ESR/CRP may be high but steroids can be dangerous

Tweet 4:
3️⃣ Back Pain + Weight Loss + Night Sweats
•Rule out spinal TB, lymphoma, metastatic cancer
•Don’t rush to label as spondyloarthritis

Tweet 5:
4️⃣ Sudden Swelling + Travel History
•Think viral arthritis (Chikungunya, Parvovirus)
•Usually self-limiting, but steroids may prolong symptoms

Tweet 6:
5️⃣ Polyarthritis + New Heart Murmur
•Consider infective endocarditis
•Early antibiotics can save lives

Tweet 7:
6️⃣ Joint Pain + Neurological Symptoms
•Could be multiple sclerosis, stroke, vasculitis
•Don’t miss CNS involvement

Tweet 8:
7️⃣ Bone Pain + Swelling Without Inflammation Markers
•Think primary bone tumor or metastasis
•X-ray can be diagnostic

Tweet 9:
Joint pain is common. Arthritis is just one possibility.
Spot the red flags → order the right tests → save a life.

Share this so more doctors think beyond arthritis.
#MedTwitter #Rheumatology #MedEd