Abstract              Background: Many musculoskeletal disorders resemble each other and some may take weeks or months to evolve into a readily recognizable diagnostic entity. It is important to understand the prevalence of each potential diagnosis and to use an organized and evidence-based clinical approach. Here, in this study we have made an effort to explore specific diagnosis to the most common causes of mono-arthritis identified in rural patients of India (Maharashtra). Materials and Methods: This is anobservational and descriptive study conducted at SRTR Government Medical College, Ambajogai. Patients with acute or chronic mono-articular arthritis presenting for the first time in OPD or those who were admitted in medical units were selected. Total 50 patients above the age of 12 yrs were enrolled in the study. Post traumatic and soft tissue rheumatism mono-articular arthritis cases were excluded from the study. Results: Total 50 cases of new onset mono-articular arthritis were enrolled for study purpose. Mono-articular arthritis was common in males with male to female ratio of 1.5:1.Most commonly affected age group was 22-55 years with 56% of the patients in age group 22 to 55 years and mean age at the onset of symptoms was 35 years. Incidence of acute and chronic mono-articular arthritis was 48% and 52%% respectively with chronic being common than acute. Irrespective of the etiology of arthritis, knee joint was most commonly involved in mono-articular arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis was most common type of mono-articular arthritis comprising 44% cases along with 30% cases of infectious and 8% cases of non-inflammatory type of mono-articular arthritis. Conclusions: Idiopathic arthritis is common diagnosis in patients presenting for first time withmono-articular arthritis. Joint tuberculosis is most common cause of mono-articular arthritis followed by gout, seronegative spondyloarthropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, osteoarthritis.

Key Words: Mono articular arthritis, septic, tuberculous arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis.