Septic arthritis Flashcards
1
Q
Presentation
A
Hot, red, swollen and painful joint
Stiffness and reduced ROM
Systemic symptoms such as fever, lethargy and sepsis
2
Q
Pathophysiology
A
Most common organism: staph aureus
Most common in sexually active: gonorrhoea
Most common cause in haematogenous spread
Most common location in adults is the knee
3
Q
Differentials
A
Gout
Psuedogout
Reactive arthritis
Haemarthrosis
4
Q
Investigations
A
Synovial fluid sampling prior to antibiotics
Blood cultures
Joint imaging
5
Q
Management
A
IV antibiotics
- flucloxacillin for 4-6 weeks
- clindamycin if penicillin allergic
Needle aspiration to decompress the joint
Arthroscopic lavage may be required
6
Q
Disseminated gonococcal infection
A
Tenosynovitis
Migratory polyarthritis
Dematitis
