Inflammation of a joint caused by infection with a bacterium called staphylococcus (staphylococcus aureus). The knee is the most frequently affected joint. Predisposing factors are advanced age, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and a joint prosthesis.
The entry point of infection is usually the skin, a dental infection or a heart infection (endocarditis), eventually infecting the joint through the blood.
It manifests with pain, swelling and warmth on palpation of the joint. In many cases it is accompanied by restriction of movement and fever.
It is diagnosed by clinical history, physical examination and joint fluid sampling.
It is treated with intravenous antibiotics and analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Arthroscopy or surgery may be necessary to remove pus from the joint.
- Thomas Holland, MD. Clinical manifestations of Staphylococcus aureus infection in adults. UpToDate, Marzo, 2016.
- Don L Goldenberg, MD. Septic arthritis in adults. UpToDate, Julio, 2016.
- Mathews CJ. Septic arthritis: current diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2008; 20:457.
- Borzio R. Predictors of Septic Arthritis in the Adult Population. Orthopedics 2016; 39:e657.
- Lawrence C. Madoff. Artritis infecciosa. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 157.
- A. Soriano Viladomiu. Infecciones estafilocócicas. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna, ed 18. Capítulo 242
