Septic Arthritis

What is Septic Arthritis?

There are other forms of arthritis that can be just as debilitating as the widely known osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. We are talking about septic arthritis that can be as debilitating as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis and cause serious damage to body joints. Septic arthritis is also known as bacterial or infectious arthritis.

Septic arthritis is a disease that advances quickly so many medical professionals feel that this type of arthritis must be treated as quickly as possible. This disease may seriously damage joints over quite a short period if not treated quickly, therefore septic arthritis is best treated with an early aggressive treatment.

Septic Arthritis – are you likely to develop septic arthritis?

There are general risk factors for septic arthritis that have been identified by health professionals and researchers:

people with artificial joints are also more prone to developing septic arthritis

patients are more likely to develop septic arthritis if they have sustained some form of traumatic injury

those who have had recent joint surgery

research suggests that if the patient has a medical condition known as bacteremia then they are considered more susceptible to this disease. In the case of bacteremia, organisms can travel by way of the bloodstream and enter the joint space.

the known risk factors for septic arthritis include age, particularly people who are over 79 years of age

diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis sufferers

other factors and conditions have been earmarked as possible risk indicators such as intravenous drug use and Immunosuppressive conditions

Tests for Septic Arthritis

When trying to diagnose septic arthritis, doctors may use a number of tests to determine a conclusive diagnosis. A visual examination is often used to identify any areas of swelling and inflammation. Blood culture tests, synovial fluid analyses, and X-rays of the joints are the most frequently used tests to diagnose septic arthritis.

Whilst septic arthritis can affect any joint in the body, hip and knee joints are the areas most frequently affected closely followed by wrists and ankles joints. Research statistics indicate that 50% (approximately) of septic arthritis patients have knee joint problems.

Organisms and Septic Arthritis

The most common organisms related to septic arthritis are:

Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Staphylococcus Aureus

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

This type is much more rare and indicates the chronic form of septic arthritis. Organisms that travel from the bloodstream into the joint space usually cause acute septic arthritis.

Treatment of Septic Arthritis

Treating Septic Arthritis usually involves aspiration of the joints. Septic Arthritis is caused by infection when the joint is infected with synovial fluid. The excess synovial fluid is extracted from the joint by suction using a needle. In more serious conditions, surgery may be used in order to drain the fluid from the joints.

Therapy involving drugs is frequently used with aspiration. Controlling the spread of organisms is done with antibiotics as they invade the joint space. The specific antibiotic required is dependant on what type of bacteria exists, and the location of infected joint space.

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