what is septic arthritis and how can it be cured?

Answer 1

Septic arthritis is the proliferation of bacteria in joints and resultant inflammation. Bacteria are either carried by the bloodstream from an infectious focus elsewhere or are introduced by a skin lesion that penetrates the joint.

Septic arthritis should be suspected when one joint (monoarthritis) is affected and the patient is febrile. In seeding arthritis, several joints can be affected simultaneously; this is especially the case when the infection is caused by staphylococcus or gonococcus bacteria.

Diagnosis is by aspiration (giving a turbid, non-viscous fluid), Gram stain and culture of fluid from the joint, as well as telltale signs in laboratory testing (such as a highly elevated neutrophils (approx. 90%), ESR or CRP).

Therapy is usually with intravenous antibiotics, analgesia and washout/aspiration of the joint to dryness.

Septic Arthritis Symptoms and Treatments

Septic arthritis, also known as infectious arthritis, is joint inflammation that is caused by a bacterium, a virus or a fungus. It mainly affects large joints such as the joints of the hips, knees and shoulders but sometimes smaller joints may be affected. Septic arthritis develops as a result of a previous infection. It usually begins as an infection which travels through the body and ends up in the joints which causes an inflammation symptom. Septic arthritis usually strikes only one joint but may strike more than one. The duration of septic arthritis is short with prompt treatment.

What are the symptoms of septic arthritis?
A symptom of septic arthritis depends largely on what germ is causing it. When septic arthritis is caused by a bacterium, the inflammation symptom normally comes on suddenly, is localized in one area and causes fever and chills. In contrast, when septic arthritis is caused by a virus, there is usually no fever symptom but a general all-over achy feeling. When the septic arthritis is caused by a fungus, there may or may not be a fever symptom, the pain and inflammation symptom can occur in one area or throughout the entire body and appears slowly over several weeks or months.

How is septic arthritis diagnosed for treatment?
Septic arthritis is diagnosed by a physical exam, questions by your doctor about recent illnesses, travel or contact with those who have infections as well as symptoms. In addition, septic arthritis can be diagnosed with x-rays and testing fluid retrieved from the joint in order to determine which germ is causing the infection. When a virus is the suspected cause of septic arthritis, a blood test can be done to find out if the patient has created antibodies to the virus. If a fungus is the suspected cause of the septic arthritis, the doctor will remove a piece of the tissue and examine it for fungal infection. Other disorders such as gout, rheumatic fever, Lyme disease, and other forms of arthritis can mimic the symptoms of infectious arthritis so you may need to see a specialist in order to determine if you have septic arthritis.

What is the treatment for septic arthritis?
The treatment for septic arthritis involves draining the fluid in the joint to remove the infection, anti-inflammatory medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), antibiotics, anti-fungal medications, surgery, rest, taking in fluids, and strength training exercises. When septic arthritis is caused by a bacterium, antibiotics can be given, when it is caused by a virus, only pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are given. When the septic arthritis is caused by a fungus, anti-fungal drugs are given over several months and these types of infections are the most resistant to treatment and are most likely to reoccur. Sometimes surgery is a necessary treatment in order to remove the infection when other treatments do not work. As the infection clears, movement can be restored through regular strength training exercises

Answer 2

Septic arthritis is the proliferation of bacteria in joints and resultant inflammation. Bacteria are either carried by the bloodstream from an infectious focus elsewhere or are introduced by a skin lesion that penetrates the joint.

Septic arthritis should be suspected when one joint (monoarthritis) is affected and the patient is febrile. In seeding arthritis, several joints can be affected simultaneously; this is especially the case when the infection is caused by staphylococcus or gonococcus bacteria.

Diagnosis is by aspiration (giving a turbid, non-viscous fluid), Gram stain and culture of fluid from the joint, as well as telltale signs in laboratory testing (such as a highly elevated neutrophils (approx. 90%), ESR or CRP).

Therapy is usually with intravenous antibiotics, analgesia and washout/aspiration of the joint to dryness.


[edit] Radiologic Findings
Traditionally, the diagnosis of septic arthritis was based on clinical assessment and prompt arthrocentesis. However, the clinical picture may be obscured by multiple confounding factors and a paucity of specific findings especially for the deep joints, ie. the hip or shoulder. Imaging can be used to confirm the diagnosis of septic arthritis and more importantly, imaging findings suggestive of septic arthritis can direct the clinician to a diagnosis that may not have been considered.

Plain film findings of septic arthritis include: joint effusion, soft tissue swelling, periarticular osteoporosis, loss of joint space, marginal and central erosions and bone ankylosis. CT is more sensitive than plain films for the detection of early bone destruction and effusion.

The role of MRI in the diagnosis of septic arthritis has been increasing in recent years in an effort to detect this entity earlier. Findings are usually evident within 24 hours following the onset of infection and include: synovial enhancement, perisynovial edema and joint effusion. Signal abnormalities in the bone marrow can indicate a concomittant osteomyelitis. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI for the detection of septic arthritis has been reported to be 100% and 77% respectively.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

This is a very serious disease and can cause joint destruction. You should be treated right away. In young people the most common causes is Gonorrhea.

Answer 5

it is infection of joint

it is curable with
draining pus if there any
use of antibiotics depending on culture senstivity

ant rest important

ask ur doctor about this things

hope it will help u