Question 1

what is septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Infection of joints: Septic arthritis is infection of joints often caused by bacteria. Diagnosis should be made promptly and treatment started immediatlet. Can be confused with gout.

Question 2

what causes septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Germs: Infection by viruses, bacteria( such as strep, staph, tb, lyme (borrelia), gonorrhea, syphilis, and funguses.

Question 3

what are the tests for septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Labs/joint aspirate: Septic arthritis is a serious problem since bacteria destroy joint cartilage. If concerned you should seek medical attention (primary care or orthopaedic surgeon). Blood work can be suggestive of a diagnosis. A joint aspirate analyzed by the lab is usually diagnostic.

Question 4

what is it like to have septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Septic joints: A septic joint is almost always very swollen, very painful , red and hot. The exception would be a patient who is immuno-compromised as they could have an infection without such severe symptoms

Question 5

any long term effect from septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Several.: If the diagnosis is delayed by two weeks, structural damage will occur to the joint. To get septic arthritis, one must have another site infected, spreading to the joint with blood flow. Only other ways are from a contiguous infection (bone, skin, etc.) or direct penetration of the joint.  Early DX and effective antibiotic rx is most important!

Question 6

what are the early symptoms of septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Pain and swelling: The symptoms of septic arthritis include pain, swelling, and warmth.  Inflammatory conditions like gout or pseudo gout can present similarly.  The diagnosis is best made by aspiration of the knee (removal of fluid from the knee) and analysis of the fluid to rule out infection.

Question 7

what are the chances of septic arthritis recurring?

Accepted Answer

Depends...: If incompletely treated, it can recur.  If adjacent bone is infected it will recur.  And if their is a "foreign body" in your joint, it is more likely to recur. This includes artificial joints!

Question 8

what is the likelihood of septic arthritis returning?

Accepted Answer

Low, but possible!: If properly treated, sometimes needing debridement as well as antibiotic therapy, it is likely you would be cured. In some instances debritis inside the joint "hides" bacteria from the antibiotics and it returns.  This usually happens fairly quickly.  With time passage, the chance of recurrence is quite low!

Question 9

can somebody plz tell me the symptoms of septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Septic arthritis: Symptoms may be similar to other inflammatory joint disorders, but typically will have pain, warmth, swelling and decreased range of motion.  Septic arthritis may also cause fever and feeling ill overall.  Often times the only way to diagnose infected joint is by aspirating joint fluid and sending for lab analysis.  Untreated, septic arthritis can cause damage to the joint.

Question 10

what is the definition or description of: septic arthritis?

Accepted Answer

It means there is-: -an infection confined with in the joint. With no injury that penetrates into the joint the usual way bacteria enters the joint is blood bourn.

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Can somebody plz tell me the symptoms of septic arthritis?

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What is the definition or description of: septic arthritis?

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