Septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) is a serious infection of joints which is characterized by inflammation, severe pain and swelling in one or more joints as well as fever and chills. It is caused by direct invasion of joint space by various bacteria, mycobacteria, viruses and fungi. Younger children and older adults are at the higher risk of developing this disease. Alcoholics and homosexuals are more prone to this disease. Those who have undergone any kind of surgery or have taken injections in the joints are more susceptible to this disease.
Staphylococci, hemophilus influenzae, gram-negative bacilli, gonococci, staphylococci, and streptococci are some of the bacteria responsible for the spread of septic arthritis (infectious arthritis). These bacteria enter into the joints through the blood stream and give rise to inflammation. If a person has weak immune system because of HIV or other infections, he is more vulnerable to this disease. Puncture wounds, drug injections and surgery are other possible causes of septic arthritis.
Major signs and symptoms of septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) are severe pain in affected joint, swelling of the joint, warmth in the area around joint, shaking chills and fever. The joints of hands and feet are most frequently affected by this disorder. In some cases, head, neck and back may be affected.
If you have increased risk of infection and you experience signs and symptoms of infections, then consult your doctor immediately. Prompt treatment can help to prevent the spread of infection and minimize the risk of joint damage. The doctor first takes complete medical history and then prescribes some laboratory tests such as analysis of synovial fluid and imaging tests like x-ray.
The treatment of septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) includes intravenous antibiotics and analgesics. Some surgical approaches can be also applied in some cases. As this type of arthritis is associated with bacterial infections, use of antibiotics is the basic treatment for septic arthritis. Use of antibiotics is empirical and depends on the sensitivity and person’s physical conditions. Intravenous route mode to pass down antibiotics is one of the most effective methods.
Antibiotic treatment should be started as early as possible. Use of antibiotics depends on type of bacterium causing infection. After detecting sensitivity of bacteria to particular antibiotics, treatment plan is decided. Antibiotics reach to the infected area through veins and blood stream, then eradicate the bacteria and viruses and thus prevent further infection of joints. Generally, recovery is expected within 5 to 6 days.
Another effective treatment option for infective arthritis is
Surgical treatment are performed in combination with proper antibiotic therapies. Without these therapies, the rate of success of surgical treatments is very low. In surgical Treatment for septic arthritis (infectious arthritis), new joint is position by infusing an anti-infective agent with the methylmethacrylate cement. Anti-infective agents used are gentamicin or tobramycin. The aim of this surgery is to diffuse antibiotic to surrounding tissues. Associated antibiotic therapy is must after surgery also.
