Final answer:
Given the reported symptoms and the possibility of an infectious cause due to a wound, the condition may initially seem like uncomplicated cellulitis. However, the option of a non-infectious cause or a joint injury should not be disregarded without further examination and possibly additional tests, such as imaging or blood work, to rule out other conditions like tendinitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presentation of a hot pain in the joint, along with the symptoms described - redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, deep muscle soreness, and fever - suggests an inflammatory process that may be due to an infection. Given the history of a recent scrape that was not immediately cleaned, the possibility of cellulitis should be considered. However, the absence of severe redness and the fact that the condition does not appear as bad upon examination could indicate a non-infectious cause, such as tendinitis or a joint injury. Additionally, tendinitis itself can cause symptoms like aching, sharp pain, a burning sensation, or stiffness in the joint, and such an inflammation might not present with the classical signs of an infection. Since the patient is not presenting with systemic signs like significant fever or malaise, uncomplicated cellulitis could be the answer, but without additional context, it is difficult to definitively exclude a non-infectious cause or a joint injury.