Septic arthritis is an inflammation of a joint caused by a bacteria infection other than gonorrhea.
Alternative Names: Bacterial arthritis; Non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Septic arthritis develops when bacteria spreads through the bloodstream to a joint. It may also occur when the joint is directly infected with bacteria during injury or surgery.
Acute septic arthritis tends to be caused by organisms such as staphylococcus, streptococcus pneumoniae and group B streptococcus.
Chronic septic arthritis (which occurs less frequently) is caused by organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans. The knee and the hip are the most commonly infected joints.
The following increase your risk for septic arthritis:
Septic arthritis may be seen at any age. In children, it occurs most often in those less than 3 years old. The hip is a frequent site of infection in infants.
Septic arthritis is uncommon from age 3 to adolescence. Children with septic arthritis are more likely than adults to be infected with group B streptococcus and Haemophilus influenza .
Symptoms:
The onset of the symptoms is usually rapid with joint swelling , intense joint pain , and low-grade fever.
Symptoms in newborns or infants:
Unable to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)
Cries when infected joint is moved (example: diaper change causes crying if hip infected)
Rest, immobilization, elevation, and warm compresses may help relieve pain. Performing exercises for the affected joint aids the recovery process.
If synovial fluid builds up rapidly in the joint as a result of the infection, frequent aspiration of the fluid by inserting a needle into the joint or surgery may be needed. Severe cases may need surgery to drain the infected joint fluid.
Support Groups:
Expectations (prognosis):
Recovery is good with prompt antibiotic treatment. If treatment is delayed, permanent joint damage may result.
Complications:
Joint degeneration
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.
Prevention:
Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics may be helpful for high-risk people.
Review Date: 4/27/2007 Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
