Septic Arthritis (cont.)
How is septic arthritis treated?
Septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics and drainage of the infected
joint (synovial) fluid from the joint.
Optimally, antibiotics are given immediately. Often, intravenous antibiotics
are administered in a hospital setting. The choice of antibiotics can be guided
by the results of the culture of joint fluid. Until those results are known,
empiric antibiotics are chosen to cover a wider range of possible infectious
agents. Sometimes, combinations of antibiotics are given. Antibiotics can be
required for four to six weeks.
Drainage is essential for rapid clearing of the infection. Drainage can be
done by regular aspirations with a needle and syringe, often daily early on, or
via surgical procedures. Arthroscopy can be used to irrigate the joint and
remove infected joint lining tissue. If adequate drainage cannot be accomplished
with joint aspirations or arthroscopy, open joint surgery is used to drain the
joint. After arthroscopy or open joint surgery, drains are sometimes left in
place to drain excess fluid that can accumulate after the procedure.
What are complications of septic arthritis?
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
long-standing, 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.
- Septic arthritis is infection of one or more joints by microorganisms.
- Septic arthritis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Risks for the
development of septic arthritis include taking immune-suppression medicines,
intravenous drug abuse, past joint disease, injury or surgery, and underlying
medical illnesses including diabetes, alcoholism, sickle cell disease, rheumatic
diseases, and immune deficiency disorders.
- Symptoms of septic arthritis
include fever, chills, as well as joint pain, swelling, redness, stiffness, and
warmth.
- Septic arthritis is diagnosed by identifying infected joint fluid.
- Septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics and drainage of the infected joint
fluid from the joint.
Last Editorial Review: 5/12/2008
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