Septic arthritis

Most common – knee (50%), hip

 Presentation
• Pain
• fever
 Sign
• Erythema
• Effusion
• Warm and tender
• Inability to bera weight
• Inability to bear weight
• Extremity tends to be in position of maximum
joint volume
– Eg hip in FABER position (flexed, abduction,
external rotation)
 Investigation
• Increased TW, ESR and CRP
• Joint fluid sample
– Appearance: cloudy/purulent
– Cell count and differential : WC > 50000
– Gram stain
– Culture
– Glucose level: <60% of serum level
 Treatment
• Operative: drainage of joint
• IV antibiotic – organism specific antibiotic
therapy
• ESR, CRP and white cell monitoring