Septic Arthritis

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is septic arthritis? " пїЅ Septic arthritis is a condition that causes a painful, swollen, and fluid-filled joint. Septic arthritis is caused by an infection in the joint. This infection is usually caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by other germs. The bacteria get into the joint in different ways. Most often, the bacteria travel to the joint through the blood from another part of the body. пїЅ пїЅ

Septic arthritis sometimes leads to joint damage and long-term joint problems. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of septic arthritis? " пїЅ Symptoms usually start suddenly and can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Joint pain
Joint swelling
Warm skin around the joint
Trouble moving the joint
Fever

Septic arthritis usually affects only one joint, but sometimes it affects more than one joint. Joints commonly involved are the knee, wrist, ankle, and hip. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for septic arthritis? " пїЅ Yes. Tests for septic arthritis include: пїЅ пїЅ

Lab tests on a sample of fluid from the joint " пїЅ Usually, the doctor can use a needle and syringe to get a sample of fluid. But sometimes the doctor has to do surgery to get a sample of fluid. The fluid sample is sent to a lab for tests.
Blood tests, called "blood cultures, " пїЅ to check for bacteria in the blood
An X-ray of the joint

How is septic arthritis treated? " пїЅ Treatment for septic arthritis involves both: пїЅ пїЅ

Antibiotic medicines " пїЅ These medicines kill the germs that are causing the infection. People usually get these medicines in their vein through a tube called an "IV. " пїЅ
Draining the fluid from the joint " пїЅ Doctors can drain the fluid in different ways, depending on which joint is involved. Many times, they can use a needle and syringe to drain the fluid. But sometimes they need to do surgery to drain the fluid. If your joint keeps filling up with fluid, you might need to have the fluid drained more than once.

Your doctor might also have you work with a physical therapist (exercise expert). The physical therapist can show you exercises to prevent joint problems and keep your joint from getting too stiff. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83255 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Septic Arthritis

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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