Septic Arthritis

Question 1

What is the most common organism to cause septic arthritis overall?

Answer 1

Staph aureus

Question 2

What is the most common organism to cause septic arthritis in young adults?

Answer 2

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Question 3

What is the most common location of septic arthritis in adults?

Answer 3

Knee

Question 4

What are the presenting features of septic arthritis?

Answer 4

*acute, swollen joint
»restricted movement in 80% of patients
»examination findings: warm to touch/fluctuant

*fever: present in the majority of patients

Question 5

What investigations are done in suspected septic arthritis?

Answer 5

• Synovial fluid sampling obligatory (before abx given)
• Blood cultures
• joint imaging

Question 6

What is the management of septic arthritis

Answer 6

• intravenous antibiotics which cover Gram-positive cocci are indicated. The BNF currently recommends flucloxacillin or clindamycin if penicillin allergic
• antibiotic treatment is normally be given for several weeks (BNF states 6-12 weeks)
• needle aspiration should be used to decompress the joint
• arthroscopic lavage may be required