Septic arthritis is the infection of a joint due to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms within the normally sterile synovial (or joint) fluid

What is septic arthritis?

Septic arthritis often affects only one joint, causing intense pain, redness and swelling of the joint.

The knee is the most affected joint, followed by the hip, while to a lesser extent the shoulder, wrist, elbow and ankle may be affected.

In most cases, only one joint is affected at a time, although it may happen that pathogens spread to two or more joints at the same time.

What are the causes of septic arthritis?

The most common cause of septic arthritis is a bacterial infection, with Staphylococcus aureus (staphylococcus) being the most commonly isolated germ.

Septic arthritis can develop when an infection in the body spreads through the bloodstream to a joint.

It can also occur when germs enter the joint directly through a wound.

Those most at risk are children and the elderly.

What are the symptoms of septic arthritis?

The symptoms of septic arthritis are swelling, redness and warmth of the joints, also associated with fever and chills.

How to prevent septic arthritis?

There are no standard measures to prevent septic arthritis, except careful hygiene and disinfection in the case of a skin wound to prevent pathogens from entering the joint.

Diagnosis

In addition to a careful objective examination, the most commonly used diagnostic tests to detect this arthritis include:

• analysis of a sample of synovial fluid taken with a needle directly into the joint;
• blood tests;
• radiological examinations.

Treatments

Treatment must be as prompt as possible to prevent irreversible damage and the spread of infection in the bloodstream.

It is generally recommended to perform

• drainage of the infected joint;
• administration of antibiotics (usually intravenously at first, then by mouth), in the case of bacterial septic arthritis.

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Source:

Humanitas