Septic arthritis Flashcards
What is the most common organism causing septic arthritis in adults?
The most common organism overall is Staphylococcus aureus.
Which organism is the most common in sexually active young adults?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the most common organism in sexually active young adults (disseminated gonococcal infection).
What is the most common cause of septic arthritis in adults?
The most common cause is hematogenous spread.
What is the most common location for septic arthritis in adults?
In adults, the most common location is the knee.
What are the features of septic arthritis?
Acute, swollen joint; restricted movement in 80% of patients; warm to touch/fluctuant; fever present in the majority of patients.
What is obligatory for investigating septic arthritis?
Synovial fluid sampling is obligatory.
When should synovial fluid sampling be done?
It should be done prior to the administration of antibiotics if necessary.
What does synovial fluid sampling show in septic arthritis?
It shows leucocytosis with neutrophil predominance.
What is the gram staining result in septic arthritis cases?
Gram staining is negative in around 30-50% of cases.
What is the management for septic arthritis?
Intravenous antibiotics covering Gram-positive cocci are indicated.
What antibiotics are recommended for septic arthritis management?
The BNF recommends flucloxacillin or clindamycin if penicillin allergic.
How long is antibiotic treatment typically given for septic arthritis?
Antibiotic treatment is normally given for several weeks (BNF states 4-6 weeks).
What is the typical switch in antibiotic treatment after 2 weeks?
Patients are typically switched to oral antibiotics after 2 weeks.
What procedure should be used to decompress the joint?
Needle aspiration should be used to decompress the joint.
What additional procedure may be required for septic arthritis?
Arthroscopic lavage may be required.
What is septic arthritis?
Septic arthritis is a condition that requires prompt treatment to reduce the risk of permanent joint damage and systemic infection.
What is the incidence of septic arthritis in children?
The incidence is around 4-5 per 100,000 children.
Which gender is more commonly affected by septic arthritis?
Septic arthritis is more common in boys, with a male to female ratio of 2:1.
Which joints are most commonly affected by septic arthritis?
The most commonly affected joints are the hip, knee, and ankle.
What are the symptoms of septic arthritis?
Symptoms include joint pain, limp, fever, and feeling systemically unwell (lethargy).
What are the signs of septic arthritis?
Signs include a swollen, red joint and typically only minimal movement of the affected joint is possible.
What investigations are done for septic arthritis?
Investigations include joint aspiration for culture, raised WBC, raised inflammatory markers, and blood cultures.
What are the Kocher criteria for diagnosing septic arthritis?
The Kocher criteria include fever >38.5 degrees C, non-weight bearing, raised ESR, and raised WCC.
