RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 EULAR/EFORT recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO Ann Rheum Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism SP 12 OP 19 DO 10.1136/ard.2008.104406 VO 69 IS 01 A1 R B M Landewé A1 K P Günther A1 C Lukas A1 J Braun A1 B Combe A1 P G Conaghan A1 K Dreinhöfer A1 D Fritschy A1 J Getty A1 H J L van der Heide A1 T K Kvien A1 K Machold A1 C Mihai A1 M Mosconi A1 R Nelissen A1 E Pascual A1 K Pavelka A1 M Pileckyte A1 W Puhl A1 L Punzi A1 W Rüther A1 M San-Julian A1 C Tudisco A1 R Westhovens A1 E Witso A1 D M F M van der Heijde YR 2010 UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/69/01/12.abstract AB Objectives: The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) have recognised the importance of variation in diagnostic and therapeutic performance across disciplines, have found consensus in starting task forces aiming at achieving diagnostic and therapeutic uniformity, and have identified medical conditions with which representatives of both organisations will frequently be confronted in common clinical practice. The aim of the present work was to establish recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients presenting with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee. Methods: The EULAR standard operating procedures for the elaboration and implementation of evidence-based recommendations were followed. Results: In all, 11 rheumatologists from 11 countries and 12 orthopaedic surgeons from 7 countries met twice under the leadership of 2 conveners, a clinical epidemiologist and a research fellow. After carefully defining the content and procedures of the task force, research questions were developed, a comprehensive literature search was performed and the results were presented to the entire committee. Subsequently, a set of 10 recommendations was formulated based on evidence from the literature if available, and after discussion and consensus building. Conclusions: This is the first combined interdisciplinary project of rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons, successfully aiming at achieving consensus in the diagnosis and initial management of patients presenting with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee.