Septic arthritis

Share on Pinterest Medical Illustration by Bailey Mariner Prevalence and impact Though the name may be misleading, infectious arthritis is not contagious. However, it can be quite serious. Research shows that illness from septic arthritis occurs in at least one-third of people with the condition. Approximately The condition Infectious arthritis can impact people from historically marginalized groups more severely, likely a result of disparities in access to and quality of medical care. For example, The most common cause of septic arthritis or infectious arthritis is bacteria, fungi, or viral bodies that enter the space around a joint. Bacterial infection is the most common cause of septic arthritis. A 2019 review found that bacteria from the Staphylococci family cause Other causes of septic arthritis include strains of Streptococci bacteria, which also lead to Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, which can cause The bacteria typically Undergoing joint replacement surgery or having animal bites, cuts, or puncture wounds on the joints Having a weakened immune system or a history of other joint problems, such as gout, Septic arthritis causes severe inflammation that can break down tissue in the joint. This Like other forms of • pain that is more severe than the pain of noninfectious inflammatory arthritis • a limited range of motion in the affected joint • redness around the affected joint • • • weakness • changes in • increased • skin rashes This condition can affect several join...

What is septic arthritis? Septic arthritis is an infection in the joint (synovial) fluid and joint tissues. It occurs more often in children than in adults. The infection usually reaches the joints through the bloodstream. In some cases, joints may become infected due to an injection, surgery, or injury. What causes septic arthritis? Different types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi can infect a joint. The types that can cause septic arthritis include: • Staphylococci.These are common bacteria that often cause skin infections. • Haemophilus influenzae.These are bacteria that can infect the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. • Gram negative bacilli.This is a group of bacteria that includesE. coli. • Streptococci.This is a group of bacteria that can lead to a wide variety of diseases. • Gonococci.This is the bacterium that causes gonorrhea. • Viruses.Viruses such as HIV can infect the joints of people of all ages. The most common type of bacteria that causes septic arthritis is calledStaphylococcus aureus. It is also known asS. aureus. The bacteria can enter the body in a number of ways, such as: • A broken bone that goes through the skin (open fracture) • An infection that spreads from another place on the body, such as the skin or genitals • An infected wound • Foreign object that goes through the skin • Injury that breaks the skin Who is at risk for septic arthritis? Risk factors for septic arthritis include: • A systemic blood-borne infection • IV drug use • Osteoarthritis • Pa...

Infants and older adults are most likely to develop septic arthritis. People who have artificial joints are also at risk of septic arthritis. Knees are most commonly affected, but septic arthritis also can affect hips, shoulders and other joints. The infection can quickly and severely damage the cartilage and bone within the joint, so prompt treatment is crucial. Treatment involves draining the joint with a needle or during surgery. Antibiotics also are usually needed. Symptoms Septic arthritis typically causes extreme discomfort and difficulty using the affected joint. The joint could be swollen, red and warm, and you might have a fever. If septic arthritis occurs in an artificial joint (prosthetic joint infection), signs and symptoms such as minor pain and swelling may develop months or years after knee replacement or hip replacement surgery. Also, a loosening of the joint may occur, which causes pain while moving the joint or while putting weight on the joint. Typically, the pain goes away when at rest. In extreme cases, the joint may become dislocated. When to see a doctor See your doctor if you have severe pain in a joint that comes on suddenly. Prompt treatment can help minimize joint damage. If you have an artificial joint, see your doctor if you experience pain while using the joint. Causes Septic arthritis can be caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Bacterial infection with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is the most common cause. Staph commonly lives on...

Septic arthritis must be considered and promptly diagnosed in any patient presenting with acute atraumatic joint pain, swelling, and fever. Risk factors for septic arthritis include age older than 80 years, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, recent joint surgery, hip or knee prosthesis, skin infection, and immunosuppressive medication use. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent morbidity and mortality. Physical examination findings and serum markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, are helpful in the diagnosis but are nonspecific. Synovial fluid studies are required to confirm the diagnosis. History and Gram stain aid in determining initial antibiotic selection. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen isolated in septic arthritis; however, other bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mycobacterium can cause the disease. After synovial fluid has been obtained, empiric antibiotic therapy should be initiated if there is clinical concern for septic arthritis. Oral antibiotics can be given in most cases because they are not inferior to intravenous therapy. Total duration of therapy ranges from two to six weeks; however, certain infections require longer courses. Consideration for microorganisms such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Borrelia burgdorferi, and fungal infections should be based on history findings and laboratory results. Septic arthritis should be considered in adults presenting with acute monoarticular arthritis...

Septic arthritis is also known as What Causes Septic Arthritis? Septic arthritis usually is caused by bacteria that spread through the In adults and children, common bacteria that cause acute septic Other infections, such as those caused by viruses and fungi, can also cause arthritis. Viruses include: • Hepatitis A, B, and C • Parvovirus B19 • HIV (AIDS virus) • HTLV-1 • Adenovirus • • Mumps • Alphaviruses • Flaviviruses Fungi that can cause arthritis include histoplasma, coccidioides, and blastomyces. These infections are usually slower to develop than Who's at Risk for Septic Arthritis? Young children and elderly adults are most likely to develop septic arthritis. People with open wounds are also at a higher risk for septic arthritis. In addition, people with a weakened immune system and those with pre-existing conditions such as What Are the Symptoms of Septic Arthritis? Symptoms of septic arthritis usually come on rapidly with intense pain, • Chills • • Fever • Inability to move the limb with the infected joint • Severe pain in the affected joint, especially with movement • Swelling (increased fluid within the joint) • Warmth (the joint is red and warm to touch because of increased How Is Septic Arthritis Diagnosed? A procedure called arthrocentesis is commonly used to make an accurate diagnosis of septic arthritis. This procedure involves a surgical puncture of the joint to draw a sample of the joint fluid, known as synovial fluid. Normally, this fluid is sterile and ...

Overview What is septic arthritis? Septic arthritis (also known as infectious arthritis) happens when an infection spreads to one or more of your joints and causes inflammation. The inflammation is in the surface of the cartilage (a type of connective tissue) that lines your joints and the synovial fluid that lubricates your joints. Bacteria, a virus or fungus may cause the infection, which usually comes from another part of your body and spreads to your joint through your blood. Large joints such as your hip and knee are more commonly affected, but you could get septic arthritis in other joints such as your shoulder and ankle. In the world of medicine, • Osteoarthritis. • Rheumatoid arthritis. • Psoriatic arthritis. • Gout. You might think that only older people get arthritis, but anyone at any age can get a type of arthritis. In fact, children more commonly experience septic arthritis than adults. Which joints are more likely to have septic arthritis? The joint that is most likely to be affected by septic arthritis depends on different factors. In general, larger joints in the lower half of your body, such as your hips, knees and ankles, are more commonly affected. • Children are most likely to get septic arthritis in their hip. • Adults are most likely to get septic arthritis in their knee. • Injection drug users are more likely to get septic arthritis in the joints that connect your pelvis and lower spine (sacroiliac joints) and in the joint that connects your clavicle...