Septic Arthritis Flashcards
What is bacterial arthritis?
Non-GC septic arthritis
What causes NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis?
Normal host: staph aureus
Immunocompromised people: Gram neg cocci, gram neg bacilli, fungi, or mycobacteria
What can happen to the patient if NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis goes untreated?
- Cause a destructive arthropathy (eats away at the cartilage)
- Development of osteomyelitis (goes into the bone)
- Lead in permanent joint damage
What are some risk factors for NON-GC septic (Bacterial) arthritis?
- Increasing age
- Presence of joint prostheses
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic steroid therapy
- Decubitus ulcer
What is the clinical presentation of NON-GC septic bacterial arthritis?
- Mono articular
- Fever
- Acute onset, pain, swelling, heat (progressively worsens)
If a patient comes in with NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis what will you find during the physical examination?
- Look for the cause (Wound, furuncle, abscess)
- Joint will be held in a comfortable position
- Severe pain with PROM
- Warmth
- Effusion (swelling)
What are the laboratory findings of NON-GC Septic (bacterial) arthritis?
- WBC count in blood and synovial fluid may be normal or abnormal (classically elevated)
*WBC usually >50,000/MCL and is often >100,000
*90% or more PMN cells (cells that are released during infection) - gram stain is usually positive as are cultures
- Blood culture positive 50%
- Antibiotics before culture decreases chance of a positive culture
What is the main treatment for NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis?
- Joint aspiration I&D
What is the treatment for NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis? (Gram positive staph)
Vancomycin to cover MRSA
What is the treatment for NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis? (Gram negative Cocci)
Pencillin G or cephalosporin
What is the treatment for NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis? (Gram negative bacilli)
Cephalosporin and gentamicin
What is the treatment for NON-GC septic (bacterial) arthritis? (Negative gram stain but infection still suspected)
Nafcillin with gentamicin or vancomycin with gentamicin
What is the general antibiotic treatment for NON-GC septic (bacterial arthritis)
- Vancomycin 1g Q12H WITH
- 3rd generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone 1-2g IV daily most commonly sued)
*will provide broad spectrum coverage change when C&S results back
If a patient has NON- GC septic (bacterial) arthritis what are the necessary steps to take?
- Admit to hospital
- Consults orthopedics ASAP
- Unknown etiology- Broad spectrum IV antibiotics until C&S results
- Immobilization, elevation
- Therapy/ ROM (early, w/o therapy there will be contracture)
What can impact the prognosis of non GC Septic (bacterial) arthritis?
- Comorbidities
- Etiology (s. Aureus poor functional outcome)
- Timing of treatment
- 5-10% die of respiratory complications (sepsis)
- 30% mortality rate if polyarticular