Overview
Septic arthritis is an infection in a joint. The infection most often affects a knee, ankle, wrist, shoulder, or hip. The joint is often warm, swollen, and very painful. If it is not treated right away, it can quickly do serious damage to the joint.
What are the symptoms of septic arthritis?
When you have septic arthritis, the infected joint is often warm, red, and swollen. You will likely have a lot of pain when you try to move the joint. Most people also have a fever.
What causes septic arthritis?
In septic arthritis, the infection is most often caused by bacteria. A joint can become infected in several ways. Infection can travel to the joint through the blood from an infection somewhere else in the body. Examples are pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. It can also happen after an injury or surgery.
How is septic arthritis diagnosed?
The main way your doctor will diagnose septic arthritis is by testing the fluid in the affected joint. The doctor removes the fluid. Then the fluid is tested in a lab. The test will help the doctor know if the fluid is infected. The test will also help find which germ is causing the infection.
Your doctor will do a physical exam. He or she will ask you about any past injuries or surgeries. The doctor will also ask about other health problems, such as arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
You may have tests to help check for infection. These may include blood or urine tests or a test of any infected skin. You may also have imaging to look for joint damage or extra fluid around the joint. This may include X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans.
How is septic arthritis treated?
Treatment often starts with antibiotics. At first, you likely will be treated in the hospital so you can get the medicine through a needle in a vein (IV). Your doctor may also give you medicine to take by mouth after you leave the hospital.
Treatment also includes draining the joint to remove the infection. Your doctor may drain the joint with a needle. Or you may need surgery to drain the joint. If all of the infected fluid is not removed the first time, you may need this treatment more than once.
Your doctor may splint your joint to keep it from moving. This helps protect the joint and relieves pain. But as soon as the infection is under control, your doctor will likely suggest physical therapy. This will help you get back the full use of the joint.
Early treatment can prevent permanent damage to the joint.
When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have worse symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
- You cannot use your joint.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.