LA Ortho - Treating Joint Disease

Question 1

Clinical signs of septic arthritis

Answer 1

Trauma or iatrogenic
Acute onset lameness
Joint effusion, soft tissue swelling
Fever

Question 2

Diagnosing septic arthritis

Answer 2

History, signs
Imaging
Synovial fluid - easier to extract from EQ or BO

Question 3

Appearance of normal synovial fluid

Answer 3

Turbid/opaque
Increased total nucleated cell count
Increased % of neutrophils
+_ degenerative/toxic changes in neutrophils
Increased total protein
+_ intracellular or free floating bacteria
(Similar response to IMPA)

Question 4

Treating septic arthritis - broad spectrum

Answer 4

Potentaited amoxicillin or cephalosporin
+_ metronidazole
Based on culture /sensitivity if possible

Question 5

Treating septic arthritis - joint lavage

Answer 5

Needle lavage or surgical exploration
Remove gross contamination
Debride fibrin, damaged tissue
Reduce bacterial numbers

Question 6

Monitoring response to treatment of SA

Answer 6

Resolve systemic signs
Improved lameness
Resolution of soft tissue swelling
Decreased TNCC, TP, neutrophils of SF cytology
Continued Antimicrobials
Repeated lavage if necessary