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Medicanet 
conditions and treatments
arthritis
types of arthritis
Septic Arthritis |
Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis is a form of infectious arthritis.
It is characterized by pain, fever, chills and inflammation in the joints. Septic arthritis may lead to a total loss of function in the affected joints and in extreme cases it may also result in septic shock.
Septic arthritis affects people regardless of sex or age.
However, people with chronic rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, intravenous drug abusers, alcoholics and patients with prosthetic limbs are at a higher risk.
Septic arthritis occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, mycobacteria or fungi succeed in reaching a joint. This could be due to factors such as an injury to the joint, the use of unsterilized surgical instruments or because of a depressed immune system.
The microorganisms infect the joint and this in turn leads to septic arthritis.
Symptoms of Septic Arthritis
The main symptoms of septic arthritis are severe pain and swelling in the affected joint, accompanied by chills and fever. The diagnosis is carried out based on the symptoms, medical history of the patient, physical examinations and synovial fluid and blood analysis.
Arthrocentesis and x-ray imaging techniques are also utilized to aid the process of diagnosis.
Treatment for Septic Arthritis
Treatment is carried out by administering antibiotics to kill the bacteria. A combination of intravenous and oral antibiotic medication is usually used.
It may also prove necessary to drain the excess fluid that accumulates in the infected joints to alleviate the discomfort and speed up recovery. Septic arthritis is usually easily cured with proper treatment but it is necessary to diagnose the condition in good time.
In cases where this condition is not diagnosed and treated in good time, the patient may go into septic shock which can lead to death.
Patients can aid the recovery process by performing mild stretching exercises to ease the soreness of the joints. Prevention of course is better than cure. In particular the use of intravenous drug use and other such activities places you at a high risk of infection. In case of injury to the joints particularly in case of skin breach do ensure that the affected area is thoroughly cleaned. People with HIV are also more susceptible to the ravages of septic arthritis. People with prosthetic limbs are also at a higher risk of being infected and should take additional precautions as instructed by their physician. |
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