Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is the proliferation of bacteria in joints and resultant inflammation. Bacteria are either carried by the bloodstream from an infectious focus elsewhere or are introduced by a skin lesion that penetrates the joint.

Related Topics:
Arthritis - Skin - Lesion

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Septic arthritis should be suspected when one joint (monoarthritis) is affected and the patient is febrile. In seeding arthritis, several joints can be affected simultaneously; this is especially the case when the infection is caused by staphylococcus or gonococcus bacteria.

Related Topics:
Monoarthritis - Febrile - Staphylococcus - Gonococcus

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Diagnosis is by aspiration, Gram stain and culture of fluid from the joint, as well as telltale signs in laboratory testing (such as a highly elevated ESR or CRP).

Related Topics:
Gram stain - Culture - ESR - CRP

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Therapy is usually with intravenous antibiotics.

Related Topics:
Intravenous - Antibiotic

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