The management of septic arthritis

Drug Ther Bull. 2003 Sep;41(9):65-8. doi: 10.1136/dtb.2003.41965.

Abstract

Septic arthritis--infection with resulting inflammation within a joint--is an emergency. Not only can it rapidly destroy a joint or irreversibly impair joint function, it may be fatal. So although the condition is not common, affecting between 2 and 10 per 100,000 people each year in the UK, it must be recognised and tackled promptly. Here we review the management of septic arthritis, particularly that of bacterial origin.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
  • Arthritis, Infectious / therapy*
  • Drainage
  • Emergency Treatment
  • Humans
  • Joint Prosthesis
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / therapy*
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents