If a patient presents with localized swelling, persistent throbbing pain, and restricted movement over a joint after a thorn injury, what is often suspected alongside infection?
Answer
A sterile inflammatory reaction localized to the synovium
When a thorn fragment embeds itself deep within a joint structure, the body initiates an intense inflammatory cascade, which is medically termed synovitis. This response is the body attempting to wall off or expel the foreign material. Crucially, this initial reaction is often described as being 'sterile,' meaning it is caused purely by the physical presence of the foreign object rather than an active bacterial infection. Although this sterile inflammation causes severe localized swelling, warmth, pain, and functional limitation, it is clinically important to distinguish it from secondary infection, as the management strategies might differ, necessitating careful clinical assessment.
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