Septic arthritis Flashcards
What is septic arthritis?
Infection of the joint space caused by bacteria
What is the major causative organism of septic arthritis?
Staph Aureus
Where does septic arthritis commonly present?
- Hip and knee joint
Major clinical features of Septic arthritis?
- Systemically unwell - high temperature
- Red, painful and hot joint
- Pain on even the slightest movement
Which group of children are at risk of Septic arthritis?
Children with sickle cell anaemia are at risk of septic arthritis by Gram negative bacteria such as Salmonella
Kocher’s criteria for Septic arthritis
- Fever > 38.5
- Non weight bearing
- Raised ESR
- Raised white cell count
Ix for diagnosis
- Blood tests - show increased level of inflammatory markers
- Synovial fluid aspiration - to identify causative organisms and treat them
- Ultrasound - show joint effusion
Mx of septic arthritis
- Orthopaedic emergency *
1. Urgent aspiration of joint fluid
2. IV antibiotics for 6 weeks
Prognosis of Septic arthritis
Excellent prognosis
- delay in diagnosis of septic arthritis, the articular cartilage and therefore the joint will be permanently damaged.
Name 4 organisms which can cause septic arthritis? (4)
- Staph aureus
- Lyme disease
- Tuberculosis
- Atypical myobacteria in immunosuppressed
Causes of septic arthritis at birth ( 1 month )
- Group B strep
2. Staph aureus
What is the choice of antibiotics for Birth - 1 month old?
- IV cefotaxine
2. IV flucloxacillin
Causes of septic arthritis 1 month to 5 years?
- Staph aureus
- Group A strep
- Kingella kingae
Choice of antibiotics for 1 month - 5 years?
IV cefuroxime
Causes of septic arthritis in > 5 years?
- Staph aureus
- Group A strep
- Strep pneumoniae
