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Septic Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation or irritation within a joint. Septic arthritis is a form of arthritis which is secondary to the infection of the joint space from bacteria. Septic arthritis occurs most commonly as a result of a penetrating injury (puncture wounds or lacerations) to a joint. Young children may develop septic arthritis following other bacterial infections in their body that have spread through the bloodstream. Septic arthritis is a medical EMERGENCY.
Common symptoms of a septic joint include a "red hot", painful joint that causes such intense pain, that the patient refuses to move it at all. Joint swelling and warmth will be noticed at the joint. A patient may also have fever and chills. A patient with septic arthritis tends to look and feel "more ill" than a patient with other types of arthritis (gout) or bursitis. IMMEDIATE consultation with your doctor is needed if you suspect septic arthritis. This is especially true in children. Evaluation will include history and physical examination. X-rays will help rule out fracture (associated injury) and bone infection (osteomyelitis). Diagnosis can be definitively made by arthrocentesis or aspiration of fluid from the infected joint space. Analysis of the fluid will show bacteria and an over abundance of white blood cells. Treatment will include hospitalization and IV antibiotics. Surgical removal of joint debris, and opening the joint to flush it out, is necessary in some cases. An Orthopaedic Surgeon is the expert in the treatment of this problem. In a significant number of cases, delay in therapy has shown to be associated with PERMANENT joint dysfunction (stiffness and decreased range of motion).
Hope this article will provide you information about septic arthritis.
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