Septic arthritis

Question 1

What is the pathology in septic arthritis?

Answer 1

Acute synovitis with purulent joint effusion

Articular cartilage attacked and completely destroyed

Question 2

What is the most common route of infection in septic arthritis?

Answer 2

Infected joint replacement

Question 3

What are the routes of infection of septic arthritis?

Answer 3

Infected joint replacement
Haematogeous spread
Dissemination from osteomyelitis
Directly invasive- penetrating wound, intra-articular injury, arthroscopy

Question 4

What is the most common causative organism of septic arthritis?

Answer 4

Staph aureus

Question 5

What are some common causative organisms of septic arthritis?

Answer 5

H. influenzae
Strep pyogenes
E. coli
N. gonorrhoea= sexually active young adults

Question 6

What are the clinical features of septic arthritis in neonates?

Answer 6

Septicaemia
Irritable, ill
Resistent to movement

Question 7

What is the presentation of septic arthritis in adults?

Answer 7

Severe pain, no weight bearing
Pseudoparalysis with refusal to move joint
Swollen and red joint
Pyrexia

Question 8

What is the most common location of septic arthritis?

Answer 8

Knee

Question 9

What investigations are done for septic arthritis?

Answer 9

Bloods- FBC, U&Es, CRP, ESR, Cultures x 3
US
Aspiration
XR
MRI

Question 10

What is the management of septic arthritis?

Answer 10

IV antibiotics

Needle aspiration and arthroscopic lavage