Septic Arthritis

SEPTIC ARTHRITIS hands

Last Updated December 20th, 2021

What Is Septic Arthritis?

Arthritis is any condition involving painful inflammation of the joints. There can be many different causes of joint inflammation including autoimmune disease and age-related weakening of the joints. Sometimes an infection can give rise to arthritis. In such cases, the condition is known as septic arthritis or infectious arthritis. The pathogen responsible for the infection may be bacterial, viral or even fungal. Since infections can affect individuals of any age, nearly everyone is capable of potentially developing septic arthritis. However, some individuals are at a greater risk than others.

Arthritis makes it difficult for the patient to move the joint without feeling pain. This means that he or she may not be able to walk, stand or bend normally. As a result, the patient is unable to perform their routine, everyday tasks and may feel tired and weak. Fortunately, most such infections can be cleared up with the right kind of treatment. The sooner that this is done the greater will be the likelihood of preventing long-term damage to the joints.

 

What Causes Septic Arthritis?

SEPTIC ARTHRITIS handsSeptic arthritis is the outcome of an infection in the joints. Infections can arise in many different ways. Instances of septic arthritis caused by bacteria and viruses are common but fungal infections have also been documented as the cause. The pathogen responsible for septic arthritis may target the joints directly or it may spread to the joints from another part of the body. For instance, having an infectious disease or a localized infection in a particular part of the body raises the risk of the infection spreading to other tissues including those in the joints particularly if the original site of infection is located in proximity to a set of joints.

The most common sites to be affected are the knees and hips. Usually, the infectious agent implicated in septic arthritis is a common bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is normally present on the surface of your skin and mucous membranes in areas such as the upper respiratory tract. When you are healthy, your immunity is strong enough to keep such bacteria in check. But when your skin is broken or even lightly grazed or the mucous membranes injured, these bacteria could infiltrate deeper into the body where they can give rise to infections.

There are three main scenarios in which joints can become infected:

  • Infection directly affecting the joints. This can occur following trauma that exposes bones and joints directly to contamination from the external environment. Alternatively, surgery or invasive treatment could introduce infection into the joint.
  • Pathogens present in the bloodstream. When bacteria are present in the blood, this is known as bacteremia. In such instances, blood carries the pathogens to every part of the body which means that infection could arise anywhere, including the joints.
  • Infection is already present elsewhere in the body and then spreads to joints from there.

 

What Are Some Risk Factors To Be Aware Of?

Any condition that weakens the immunity exposes the body to a greater risk of contracting infections. Infants are especially susceptible on account of their immature immunity. Similarly, very old individuals may also have a weak immune system. Other examples of those at risk include patients with severe chronic illnesses, those undergoing radiation therapy or even those with immune deficiencies.

SEPTIC ARTHRITIS xrayA more comprehensive list of potential risk factors for septic arthritis is provided below:

  • Being very young or very old.
  • Having deep or severe wounds.
  • Long-term illness such as cancer or diabetes.
  • Having an infectious disease.
  • An immune deficiency.
  • HIV infection.
  • Take immunosuppressant drugs.
  • Receiving radiation therapy or undergoing chemotherapy.
  • Regular abuse of drugs through the intravenous route.
  • Invasive treatment such as catheters, intravenous tubes or dialysis.
  • Impaired blood circulation.
  • A skin disorder that leaves the skin damaged and broken. Examples include psoriasis and eczema.
  • Infection as a complication of orthopedic or another kind of surgery.
  • Existing inflammatory disorder.
  • Having an autoimmune disease.
  • An existing problem with your joints, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

 

What Are Some Symptoms Of Septic Arthritis?

The crucial facts to remember are that septic arthritis involves both infection and inflammation in the joints. Hence, the patient will most likely display classic symptoms of infection and inflammation. Most infections cause the immune system to respond by increasing body temperature. Pathogens like bacteria and viruses are sensitive to higher temperatures and when you develop a fever, your body is trying to disable them with heat. However, not all patients will necessarily have a high fever. This depends on the severity and extent of the infection.

Inflammation is a more localized response to infection. This causes tissues at the site of the infection, in this case, your joints, to become swollen. The swollen joints will be tender and you will notice redness at the site. Generally, there will be localized warmth as well and the pain may make it difficult for you to move the joint or use the affected limb.

Here is a more detailed list of symptoms to expect:

  • Fever.
  • Swollen joints.
  • Joint pain.
  • Redness in the affected joint.
  • Tenderness.
  • The affected joint is warmer than surrounding areas.
  • Inability to move the joint normally.

 

Should I Be Concerned About Complications?

SEPTIC ARTHRITIS jointsSince the root cause of septic arthritis is an infection, there is always the risk of the infection spreading to other tissues. Some potential critical outcomes are discussed below:

  • Permanent damage to the tissues of the joint, leading to loss of function and range of movement.
  • Fibrous ankylosis. This causes the joints to become permanently stiff, inflexible and immobile as a result of the toughening of fibrous connective tissue.
  • Osteomyelitis or infection of the tissue in bones forming the joint.
  • Abscess. This is a localized collection of pus within the body.
  • One of the worst possible scenarios is that of sepsis, a condition in which the immune system overreacts to an infection and triggers widespread inflammation which can lead to organ failure, hypovolemic shock, and death.

 

How Is Septic Arthritis Diagnosed?

The combination of joint pain, fever, and symptoms suggesting joint inflammation should help your doctor ascertain the nature of the problem to a certain extent. Septic arthritis is frequently accompanied by some amount of damage to the joints as a result of the inflammation. In order to assess the extent of the damage and determine the identity of the pathogen responsible for the infection, you may need to undergo laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging tests. The following procedures may be involved:

  • Physical examination.
  • Medical history.
  • Blood tests.
  • Laboratory analysis of the joint fluid.
  • X-rays.

 

What Treatments Are Available?

The treatment for septic arthritis comprises of two steps:

Joint drainage– The infected synovial fluid (joint fluid) is removed. This can be done by:

  • Needle– infected fluid can be withdrawn by inserting a needle in the joint space.
  • Arthroscopy– A flexible tube with several tools and a video camera is inserted into the joint space through a small incision. Suction and drainage tubes are inserted in order to withdraw the infected fluid.

Surgery– In some cases (which do not have proper access to a needle or arthroscopy), open surgery has to be performed in order to drain the infected fluid.

Antibiotics– The antibiotics are prescribed based on the infectious agent causing the condition. The treatment can go on for around 2 to 6 weeks. Medications can have side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Prevention of the disease is mainly by taking precautions such as- antibiotic cover during invasive procedures, regular examination of joint and surrounding skin to look for signs of infection, proper care while injecting into joint space and having a healthy immune system.

 
 

 

Dos and Don'ts

Dos
  • Be active. Regular physical activity can help in reducing pain and improve physical function by 40%.
  • Seek rapid medical attention. Any delay in the treatment might have detrimental effects on the joint and cause permanent damage.
  • Consult your doctor in case you have a low immunity or if you are on immunosuppressant medications (such as medications for rheumatoid arthritis). These conditions make you prone to septic arthritis.
Don'ts
  • Ignore symptoms such as joint stiffness, painful and swollen joints, fever, chills, fatigue, skin rash, sore throat etc.
  • Neglect sanitization while injecting medications into the joint.
  • Miss your follow-up sessions after getting a prosthetic joint. Individuals with a prosthetic joint are highly susceptible to septic arthritis.

 

 

 

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Allopathy vs homeopathy vs ayurveda treatment for piles, fissures, and fistula Read to know the best form of treatment among allopathy, homeopathy,or ayurveda for piles, fissures, and fistula
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Facts about the Shepherd’s diet Kristina Wilds promoted Shepherd's diet, a Christian-based diet that highlights Jesus Christ's diet as mentioned in the Bible.
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Sweeteners – Are They Good or Bad for Our Health? Sweeteners can be artificial and natural. Learn about the different types of sweeteners and their health benefits and…
liver detox facts
7 liver detox facts and why ignoring these could kill you! Are you taking care of this organ that handles over 500 different vital functions in your body? Your…
nutritional yeast bread
Nutritional Yeast : How can a fungi culture be good for your body? Nutritional yeast: How a simple culture of fungi can transform your skin, digestion, immunity , and much more.…
xylitol gum
Xylitol : Is this the right sugar substitute for you? Discovered during World War 2 owing to sugar shortage, xylitol has become a common name in pharamaceutical industry.…
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Sodium chloride: The wonders and dangers of the simple table salt Sodium chloride is a salt containing sodium and chlorine ions at a 1:1 ratio. It is edible and…
How can Kegels help you overcome weak pelvic muscles & incontinence? Kegel exercises are pelvic floor strengthening exercises that can help you overcome incontinence issues that rise out of…
What is the right way to take a pregnancy test? A pregnancy test is undertaken to determine if you have conceived. A home pregnancy test is the most…
GERD heartburn
Heartburn: What are the exact symptoms and the best home remedies? There are easy home remedies for heartburn, which not only acts as a first aid when you experience…
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CrossFit: Now get the perfectly sculpted body with this explosive gym routine CrossFit is a fitness regimen that makes use of high-intensity exercises in a shorter period to achieve muscle…
GGt test
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colposcopy
Colposcopy Colposcopy is a simple, quick and non- invasive diagnostic tool to look closely inside the vulva, vagina, and…
Bloodtestalbumin
Albumin Test Albumin test or blood serum test is a liver function test that measures the amount of the protein…
fructosamine test
Fructosamine Test A fructosamine test measures blood sugar glucose content. Fructosamine level can indicate blood sugar level in past 2-3…
oral hygiene tips
6 shocking consequences of bad oral hygiene (and how to avoid them) Did you know bad breath is not just turning off, but also harms your body in ways you…
Is it possible to achieve full body detox with Master Cleanse? Master cleanse is a diet consisting of a lemonade based beverage, a salt water drink and a herbal…
Astaxanthin: Why experts believe it could be 550x more potent than vitamin E! What is astaxanthin and why is this new supplement on the block touted as the most powerful antioxidant…
How to scrub away stress and fatigue with an Epsom salt bath? Epsom salt is a popular home remedy for many skin ailments. Though there is a lack of scientific…
Ear pain model
Easy and safe tips for ear wax removal you can do at home Cerumen impaction generally occurs when an external object like cotton swabs are used to remove the ear wax.…
Balneotherapy jacuzzi
5 things you didn’t know about balneotherapy and how you can do it at home Sauna baths have been popular since a long time. But how much more beneficial can balneotherapy be as…
Barium-enema
Barium Enema Barium enema is also known as colon x-ray. Here, the patient is asked to consume small amount of…
thyroxine t4 test
T4 (Thyroxine) Hormone Test The T4 or thyroxine blood test is an important diagnostic tool that gives a clear picture of how…
iron deficiency profile
Iron Deficiency Profile An iron deficiency profile is a battery of blood tests which are performed in order to determine the…
Proteinuria and blood pressure
Hypertension Profile Hypertension profile is a panel of blood tests done to analyse the cause of hypertension or high blood…
Hepatitis A virus infected liver
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Total Blood test to look for IgM antibodies to know if you are infected with Hepatitis A virus (HAV),…
High Fiber Diet – Fire up your fiber intake for these health benefits! Regular bowels, healthy detox, higher immunity, and guaranteed weight loss - a high fiber diet can bring all…
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Gallbladder surgery :Tips on post-operative care and diet What to eat post a gallbladder surgery? What are the key things to avoid if you had a…
Bromelain: 11 reasons why you should start adding pineapple to your pizza! If you didn't love pineapples already, here are some of the top health benefits that bromelain can bring…
edamame
Edamame: How healthy are these green baby beans? Edamame or "immature" soybeans are soft and easily digestable forms of soybeans that are great as an eveyday…
The right way to prepare Alfalfa sprouts at home Alfalfa or lusan ghas is not just a nutritious animal fodder. This flavonoid-rich herb has some amazing health…
Kava: Is it the healthy substitute for alcohol you have been waiting for? Native to the beautiful South Pacific islands, Kava is a famous beverage rooted in the local culture. It…
Love tea, hate tannins? Rooibos tea is just what you need The market is brimming with a multitude of herbal teas. But what makes rooibos tea (or red bush)…
How to correctly perform nasal irrigation using a Neti Pot? Neti pot has been a part of Ayurveda since centuries. This ancient tool is extremely effective in treating…
These are the top foods to increase your hemoglobin count It is important to add iron-rich foods into your diet in order to increase hemoglobin. Deficiency of hemoglobin could…
CBC blood test
CBC (Hemogram 6-part diff) blood test CBC (Hemogram 6-part diff) blood test refers to the test that measures the number of RBCs, WBCs, etc…
helping friend with depression
Support and care tips for helping people with depression Read to find out what is depression, its causes and symptoms. Also check out the steps describing how…
boost immunity tips
Step up your defence: 15 proven tips on how to boost your immunity Want to naturally build up a stronger immunity? Tired of frequent colds and runny nose?You will never believe…
Amaranth: Why is this native Peruvian grain called the “crop of the future”? Full of healthy high proteins and gluten-free, the grain, Amaranth, the tasty and ancient pseudo cereal from Peru,…
avocado benefits
Avocado: 15 reasons why this fruit should be a staple in your diet Did you know that the word avocado literally means "testicles". Don't get grossed out as this power-packed fruit…
green poop causes
Green poop : What are the reasons and how can you correct it Ever sneak a peek down the toilet only to shockingly find green poop? Why does our poop turn…
black seed oil benefits
Black Seed Oil: What secret benefits could it bestow on your health? Black seeds or nigella seeds are tiny packets of health brimming with amazing benefits. Find out why should…
gout diet purines
Gout Diet : Get relief from painful joints by eating these foods Are you a victim of this painful condition? Are medications providing only short relief? Find a list of…
Green, brown, & bitter: The instant advantages of including fenugreek in your diet Did you know the earliest usage of fenugreek can be traced back to the Egyptian civilization? Find out…
Tamarind: The top health benefits of this staple Asian ingredient Did you know this sweet and sour pulpy fruit does more than just add a tangy flavor to…
Erythritol: A healthy sugar substitute or yet another marketing ploy? Erythritol is a popular choice of a healthy alternative sweetening agent in foods. But how healthy can a…
Hemp Seeds: The actual science behind this controversial crop Inspite of being credited as a superfood, hemp seeds are still shrouded with layers of controversies. Are these…

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