Circumstance	Reasons for referral
Failed arthrocentesis or joints that are difficult to aspirate, such as hips and sacroiliac joints	Need for computed tomography or ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis
Septic arthritis	Urgent consultation, hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics, joint drainage, débridement; infectious disease consultation for atypical infections
Suspected inflammatory polyarthritis or recurrent monoarthritis unresponsive to treatment	Rheumatologist evaluation and management
Undiagnosed chronic monoarthritis	Need for closed synovial biopsy or arthroscopy