Septic Arthritis- Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Infectious arthritis caused by bacteria is referred to as septic arthritis. Viruses and fungi can also cause this condition. It is an infection-induced inflammation of a joint. In most cases, septic arthritis affects one large joint in the body, such as the knee or hip. It is less common for septic arthritis to affect multiple joints at the same time.

Causes of septic arthritis

The inflammation in the joint or septic arthritis can be caused by different types of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Some of them are as follows- 

• Gram-negative bacilli– This group of bacteria includes E. coli that can lead to septic arthritis. 
• Streptococci– This group of bacteria can be contagious and results in a wide variety of diseases, including septic arthritis.
• Viruses– Some viruses, such as HIV, adenovirus, alphaviruses, flaviviruses, etc., can also result in septic arthritis. 
• Staphylococci– These are one of the common groups of bacteria that can cause skin infection. Some skin infections can lead to inflammation in the joint, causing arthritis. 
• Injury– Some injuries to the joint such as accidental sports injury or bad cuts, also have chances to lead to inflammation. The delayed treatment of the inflammation in the joint can cause septic arthritis. 

What are the symptoms of septic arthritis?

The symptoms of septic arthritis can be painful and may include the following- 

• High body temperature 
• Chronic pain in the infected/affected joint
• Mobility issues; pain while doing any movements
• Swelling around the affected joint due to increased inflammation
• The affected joint becomes red and warm because of the blood flow
• Chills in the body
• Feeling fatigued constantly and weakness 

How is septic arthritis diagnosed? 

The diagnosis of the condition will include a physical examination in which the doctor will touch the affected area to check the tenderness. S/he will also ask about your medical and family history. One of the major diagnosis procedures is called arthrocentesis. It is conducted to check the stage of the septic arthritis condition. During this procedure, the doctor performs a surgical puncture in order to extract the fluid from the affected joint. This fluid is known as synovial and typically helps for lubrication.

Once the fluid is extracted, the sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing. The results of the test help in determining the best-suited technique for septic arthritis treatment. The orthopedic doctor will also recommend a few diagnostic tests to detect the severity of the condition. Some of the diagnostic tests include- 

• X-ray- This helps in getting a clear scan of bones of the joint affected by septic arthritis. 
• MRI- This test provides clear images of the tissues and muscles around the affected joint.
• Blood test- This helps in detecting the presence of inflammation in the body.

What are the treatments for septic arthritis?

If septic arthritis is mild, the doctor will initiate oral treatment options to cure the condition. However, when the condition is severe, the doctor may advise surgical intervention to treat the condition.  The following are some treatments recommended for septic arthritis depending on the severity- 

• Medication– The orthopedic doctor will prescribe some antibiotics to minimize the symptoms as well as to restrict the inflammation from affecting the nearby areas. In the initial stage, the doctor may give antibiotics straight into the veins of your arms and can later shift the treatment to oral medication (tablets).
• Fluid removal– This is one of the common treatments for septic arthritis. In this technique, the surgeon removes the infected fluid from the affected joints either through needle aspiration or different techniques. At times when the fluid drainage is difficult from the needle, the surgeon recommends arthroscopy to remove the infected fluid with the help of suction tubes. 
• Joint replacement- This technique is advised when the septic arthritis is in the last stage and extremely severe. When the joints of the body get completely damaged and lose their mobility, the surgeon provides a joint replacement. In this technique, the affected joint is replaced with an artificial implant to restore the normal function of the joint. Knee replacement, hip replacement and shoulder replacement are the most commonly performed joint replacement surgeries. 

Who should I consult for septic arthritis?

An orthopedic doctor is a right doctor to consult for septic arthritis treatment. An orthopedist has a specialization in diagnosing and treating disorders related to bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Septic arthritis is a condition that is caused due to infection and affects the major joints of the body, such as the hip joint, knee joint,  ankle joint, and wrist joint. The inflammation in the joint results in painful movements while walking and sitting, and delaying treatment can damage the joints completely. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult the right doctor for the most effective septic arthritis treatment. 

Consult the Best Arthritis Doctor near you

If you are experiencing excruciating pain in the joints or other painful symptoms, book your appointment today with the best arthritis specialist at Pristyn Care near you. Our orthopedic doctors are highly experienced and provide comprehensive septic arthritis treatment. Our hospitals and clinics are equipped with the latest technologies that help our orthopedic doctors perform advanced treatments that are safe and effective. In addition, modern treatment options for septic arthritis, such as, arthroscopy, knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder replacement are minimally invasive treatment options and has a faster recovery duration. To book an appointment with the best orthopedic doctor, you can call on the number given below in the right corner or fill out the form with all the necessary details.