Prevention
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Prognosis
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Images
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Diagnosis|
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Septic arthritis is a medical emergency.
Doctors who treat septic arthritis include emergency physicians, internists,
rheumatologists, orthopedists, infectious-disease physicians, and
rehabilitation-medicine providers.
If your symptoms suggest septic arthritis,
your GP will refer you to your nearest A&E department immediately for an
assessment.
The following tests typically help diagnose
septic arthritis:
Joint fluid analysis. Infections can alter
the color, consistency, volume and makeup of the fluid within your joints. A
sample of this fluid can be withdrawn from your affected joint with a needle.
Laboratory tests can determine what organism is causing your infection, so your
doctor will know which medications to prescribe.
Blood tests. These can determine if there
are signs of infection in your blood. A sample of your blood is removed from a
vein with a needle.
Imaging tests. X-rays and other imaging tests of the affected joint can assess
damage to the joint.
Treatment|
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Septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics
and drainage of the infected joint (synovial) fluid from the joint.
Doctors rely on joint drainage and
antibiotic drugs to treat septic arthritis.
Joint aspiration
Removing the infected joint fluid is
crucial. Drainage methods include:
Needle. In some cases, your doctor can withdraw the infected fluid with a
needle inserted into the joint space.
Scope procedure. In arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-kuh-pee), a flexible tube with a video
camera at its tip is placed in your joint through a small incision. Suction and
drainage tubes are then inserted through small incisions around your joint.
Open surgery. Some joints, such as the hip, are more difficult to drain with a
needle or arthroscopy, so an open surgical procedure might be necessary.
Antibiotics
To select the most effective medication,
your doctor must identify the microbe causing your infection. Antibiotics are
usually given through a vein in your arm at first. Later, you may be able to
switch to oral antibiotics.
Typically, treatment lasts from two to six
weeks. Antibiotics carry a risk of side effects, including nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea. Allergic reactions also can occur. Ask your doctor about what side
effects to expect from your medication.
Complications|
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Rapid clearing of the infection is critical to preserve the joint.
If appropriate antibiotics are begun immediately, joint integrity can be
maintained, and return to function is expected. If the infection has been
longstanding, the possibility of joint destruction exists. The keys to
successful outcome are rapid medical attention and drainage and the accurate
administration of antibiotics to which the offending microbes are susceptible.
