Septic arthritis Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of septic arthritis?

A

MEDICAL EMERGANCY. Inflammation of a joint due to a bacterial infection

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2
Q

How common is septic arthritis?

A

Semi common

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3
Q

What is the pathophysiology of septic arthritis?

A
  • Knee is affected in >50% of cases
  • Common causative organisms: Staph aureus, streptococci, Neisseria gonococcus
  • Infection via direct injury, contagious spread from infected periarticular tissue or blood borne infection
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4
Q

What are the risk factors/aetiology of septic arthritis?

A
  • Pre existing joint disease – esp. rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Pneumonia → pneumococcal arthritis
  • Immunosuppression
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Recent joint surgery
  • Recent intra-articular steroid injection
  • Prosthetic joints
  • IV drug abuser
  • > 80 years of age
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5
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of septic arthritis?

A
  • Acute onset
  • Single joint normally
  • Hot joint
  • Painful joint on active and passive movement
  • Swollen joint
  • Red joint
  • Wound inflammation
  • Discharge
  • Joint effusion
  • Loss of function of joint
  • Fever/rigors
  • Vomiting
  • Hypotension
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6
Q

What conditions present similarly to septic arthritis?

A
  • Other types of arthritis
  • Crystal arthropathies
  • RA/OA
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7
Q

What investigations are required in suspected septic arthritis?

A
  • Urgent joint aspiration for synovial microscopy and culture
  • FBC
  • ESR
  • CRP
  • Blood cultures
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8
Q

What is the surgical treatment for septic arthritis?

A
  • Arthrocentesis

* Lavage and debridement

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9
Q

What are the pharmacological treatments for septic arthritis?

A

• IV antibiotics – flucloxicillin/vancomycin/cefotaxime

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10
Q

What are the non pharmacological treatments for septic arthritis?

A
  • Analgesia

* Immobilise joint

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