Inflammation of a joint due to a germ infection. It is more common in babies still on milk and below two years old. It mainly affects the knee, ankle and hip joints.
It is commonly caused by a bacterium that reaches the joint through the blood.
It manifests with pain and inflammation of the articulation, which is often red and feels hot to the touch. Fever may be present, but it is not an indispensable sign for its diagnosis. Sometimes, refusing to walk or a limp may be the only symptoms present.
Diagnosis is reached through the patient's questioning and a physical examination. Blood and joint fluid tests together with X-rays will complete the study.
Treatment is based off of antibiotics that need to be administered as soon as possible and for a prolonged period of time. It is advisable to drain the pus from the joint through surgery if required.
It is considered a medical emergency that should be treated in a hospital with paediatric and surgical services to avoid any sequelae in mobility.
- Paul Krogstad. Bacterial arthritis: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and microbiology in infants and children. UpToDate. Apr 29, 2016.
- Paul Krogstad. Bacterial arthritis: Clinical features and diagnosis in infants and children. UpToDate. Oct 12, 2016.
- Paul Krogstad. Bacterial arthritis: Treatment and outcome in infants and children. UpToDate. mar 02, 2016.
- Madoff LC. Artritis infecciosa. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición: 833-838.
- Carter K, Doern C, Jo CH, Copley LA. The Clinical Usefulness of Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Supplemental Diagnostic Tool in the Evaluation and the Treatment of Children With Septic Arthritis. J Pediatr Orthop 2016; 36:167.
- Rosenfeld S, Bernstein DT, Daram S, et al. Predicting the Presence of Adjacent Infections in Septic Arthritis in Children. J Pediatr Orthop 2016; 36:70.
