septic arthritis

Question 1

what is septic arthritis?

Answer 1

-when an infection occurs in a joint causing it to become inflamed

Question 2

how does infection occur in the joints to cause septic arthritis?

Answer 2

• can be caused by blood borne organisms
• can be an extension of local infection (eg infection in local bone)
• can be direct inoculation (following infection of joint or trauma)

Question 3

what organism most commonly causes septic arthritis?

Answer 3

-staphylococcus aureus

Question 4

what organism causes septic arthritis in sexually active individuals?

Answer 4

-neisseria gonorrhoea

Question 5

what organism causes septic arthritis in pre school children?

Answer 5

-haemophilus influenza

Question 6

what organism causes septic arthritis in a prosthetic joint?

Answer 6

staph epidermis

Question 7

how does septic arthritis present?

Answer 7

• pain
• erythema
• hot
• swelling
• limited movement

Question 8

what criteria is used to diagnose septic arthritis?

Answer 8

-Kocher criteria

Question 9

what investigations should be done for septic arthritis?

Answer 9

-joint fluid aspiration

Question 10

what colour of fluid once aspirated suggests normal aspirate?

Answer 10

clear and colourless

Question 11

what colour of fluid once aspirated suggests infected aspirate?

Answer 11

yellow green