Bone & Joint Infection Flashcards
Label the following diagram of a normal joint [11]
- muscle
- synovial cavity
- bursa
- joint capsule and synovial lining
- tendon
- enthesis
- enthesis
- ligament
- articular cartilage
- epiphysis of bone
- enthesis
Define septic arthritis [1]
infection in a joint
Why should septic arthritis be treated as a medical emergency? [2]
- Treat as a medical emergency as an untreated joint infection can lead to:
- Loss of cartilage → osteoarthritis in later life
- Severe sepsis → septic shock
What are the typical presenting signs & symptoms of septic arthritis? [5]
- Fever (60-80% of cases)
- Single hot joint
- Knee (50%)
- Hip (20%)
- Polyarticular involvement (10-20%)
- Loss of movement
- Pain
What are the key investigations that should be carried when diagnosing suspected septic arthritis? [5]
- Blood cultures
- Joint aspirate (gram, microscopy for crystals and culture)
- FBC
- CRP
- Imaging
What are the common pathogens that cause septic arthritis? [10]
- Gram +ve
- MSSA
- MRSA
- Streptococci
- S. pyogenes
- Group G strep
- Pneumococcus (commoner in children)
- Gram -ve
- H. influenzae (commoner in children)
- Kingella
- N. meningitidis
- N. gonorrhoeae
- E. coli
- P. aeruginosa
- Salmonella species
How should septic arthritis be treated and monitored? [3]
- Often 3 weeks IV antibiotics followed by 3 weeks oral
- Monitor response by CRP and clinical
Define arthroplasty [1]
putting in an artificial joint
What is resection arthroplasty? [1]
taking the diseased joint out and putting in an artificial one
What is revision arthroplasty? [1]
re-operating on an artificial joint
Define arthrodesis [1]
fusing 2 bones together
Define arthrosis [1]
a joint
Define pseudo-arthrosis [1]
allowing 2 bones to articulate against one another but without a joint, e.g. Girdlestone
What are the risk factors for prosthetic joint infections associated with primary arthroplasty? [7]
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Poor nutritional status
- Obesity
- Concurrent UTI
- Steroids
- Malignancy
What are the risk factors for prosthetic joint infections associated with a revision arthroplasty? [3]
- Prior joint surgery
- Prolonged operating room time
- Pre-op infection (teeth, skin, UTI)