What conditions can be mistaken for a monoarticular process?
Several common inflammatory processes occur in the soft tissues around, but not in, the joints. These conditions can be painful and may mimic arthritis. Examples include rotator cuff tendinitis of the shoulder, olecranon bursitis of the elbow, and prepatellar bursitis of the knee. It is important to distinguish these disorders from true joint disease because their management is often quite different from that of monoarticular arthritis. Careful history and physical examination usually allow correct identification of the affected region.
