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Usually acute in onset, but may appear insidiously and antedate other manifestations of sarcoidosis
Knees and ankles are most commonly involved, but any joint can be affected
Distribution of joint involvement is usually polyarticular and symmetric
Often associated with erythema nodosum
Commonly self-limited, resolving after several weeks or months and rarely resulting in chronic arthritis, joint destruction, or significant deformity
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Contingent on demonstration of other extra-articular manifestations of sarcoidosis and biopsy evidence of noncaseating granulomas
In chronic arthritis, radiographs show typical changes in the bones of the extremities with intact cortex and cystic changes
Despite the clinical appearance of an inflammatory arthritis, synovial fluid often is noninflammatory (ie, < 2000 leukocytes/mcL [2.0 × 109/L])
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Usually symptomatic and supportive
Corticosteroids, methotrexate, or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may be effective in patients with severe and progressive joint disease