Septic arthritis

If you are taking medication for any type of arthritis, can not feel the pain of arthritis with severe infections because these drugs may mask the pain and fever.

Define

Septic arthritis is a severe infection in the joint pain. Less common bacteria or fungi, which can spread from other parts of the body affected the joints. Sometimes bacterial infection in the joints only, other areas of the body does not matter.


In septic arthritis, bacterial penetration into the joints - often the only one - and damage, causing severe pain, warmth and swelling. Target bacteria knee is the most common, although other joints can be affected by septic arthritis, including ankle, hip, wrist, elbow and shoulder.

Children and the elderly are more likely to develop septic arthritis. If treated within a week after the first symptoms appear, most people recover fully.

The symptoms

Septic arthritis often uncomfortable and difficult to use the affected joint. Signs and symptoms may include:

Fever.

Pain in the affected joint, especially when moving joints.

Swelling of the affected joints.

Warm the area of the affected joint.

In children, additional symptoms may include:

Appetite.

Unrest /

Tachycardia.

Discomfort.

If you are taking medication for any type of arthritis, can not feel the pain of arthritis with severe infections because these drugs may mask the pain and fever.

In adults, the hands and feet joints - especially knees often affected by septic arthritis.

In children, most likely the hip joint is affected. Children with septic arthritis of the hip usually keep their hips in a fixed position and try to tranhxoay.

In rare cases can meet other joints, such as the neck, back and head, may be affected.

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate septic arthritis, such as sudden onset of severe pain in the joints. If you are at increased risk of infection and noticed signs and symptoms of infection, such as fever and chills, see your doctor immediately. Early treatment can prevent the spread of infection and minimize damage to the affected joint.

Cause

Septic arthritis can develop when there is an infection elsewhere in the body, such as upper respiratory tract infection or urinary tract infection, spread through the blood to the joints. Less common is a puncture wound, injections or surgery near joints can allow bacteria into the joint.

Synovium joints (synovium) to protect themselves from infection is very low. When bacteria to the synovium, enter easily and can begin to destroy cartilage. The body reacts to bacterial infections including increased pressure around the joints, the joints, and decreased blood flow to the joints contribute to the damage of the joints.

The bacteria

Some bacteria can cause septic arthritis. The most common type of infection-related arthritis is Staphylococcus aureus (staph) - a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose.

In the past, septic arthritis more often caused by bacteria that cause gonorrhea - Sexually transmitted disease. But the use of safer sex practices have led to a decline in gonorrhea and its complications, including septic arthritis. However, at the young age of sexual activity, gonorrhea is a potential cause of septic arthritis.

Other causes of infectious arthritis

Bacteria is only one cause of joint infection. The virus can also attack the joints (arthritis caused by a virus), although this situation is usually resolved itself and cause less damage to the joints. In some rare cases, joint infection can be caused by a fungus (mushroom arthritis). Another type of infectious arthritis is joint inflammation, joint pain response to an infection in another part of the body, although the joints are not infected.

The risk factors

The risk factors for septic arthritis include:

Current joint problems. Diseases and conditions affecting the joints - including the type of lupus and arthritis, gout, pseudo gout - may increase the risk of septic arthritis. An artificial joint (artificial limbs), previous joint surgery and joint injury also increases the risk.

Rheumatoid arthritis medication. People with rheumatoid arthritis have increased risk because of their drug use. Rheumatoid arthritis drugs may inhibit the immune system, making the infection can occur. In addition, the diagnosis of septic arthritis in people with rheumatoid arthritis is difficult because many of the signs and symptoms are similar.

Thin skin. If the skin is easily broken and poorly healed, bacteria can have continuous access to the body. Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema infection increases the risk of arthritis, infected skin wounds. People who inject drugs often have a high risk of infection at the injection site.

Weak immune system. The immune system is weak can create a high risk of septic arthritis because the body can not protect themselves against infection. People with diabetes, kidney and liver, and drugs inhibit the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs) may increase the risk of infection.

There is a combination of risk factors are often placed in a higher risk of only one risk factor.

Complications

Treatment with antibiotics combined with fluid drainage system infections usually resolve. If delayed treatment, however, the infection can quickly lead to osteoarthritis and permanent damage.

The complications of septic arthritis typically include:

Osteoarthritis.

Deformity.

In severe cases, the joint may need to be surgically reconstructed. If the infection affects the joints prosthetic, prosthetic joints may need to be replaced.

Testing and diagnosis

The following tests often help diagnose septic arthritis:

Analysis of joint fluid. To discover exactly what type of bacteria causing the infection, doctors often use a form of joint fluid (synovial fluid) through a needle into the space around the joint. Often in the synovial fluid and viscous. Bacterial infections can alter the color, volume of synovial fluid. Analysis of synovial fluid to identify the organisms causing the infection.

Blood test. The doctor may request a blood test to see if bacteria are present in the blood.

Check X-ray images and other imaging tests of the affected joint can also be assigned to assess the damage to the joints.

Treatments and drugs

Doctors rely on antibiotics and drainage treatment of septic arthritis.

Antibiotics, doctors must determine bacterial infection, and then choose the most effective antibiotics to target specific bacteria. Antibiotics are often used through a vein in the arm first. Then, in some cases, can be switched to oral antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment for how long depends on your health, bacteria, are infected and the infection level. Typically, treatment lasts about 2-6 weeks.

Antibiotics risk of side effects, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Allergic reactions can also occur. Talk to your doctor about the side effects that can Sourc correction.

Drain the infected joint serves three purposes: It removes bacteria from the joints, reduces stress on joints, and provide samples for testing doctors bacteria and other organisms. The most common method of removing fluid through arthroscopy (AHR-THROS skuh-pee). Arthroscopy, a tube with a video camera placed at the top of the joint through a small incision. The straw is then inserted through small incisions around the joint to suck the synovial fluid is infected.

The doctor may remove fluid from the joint with a needle (arthrocentesis). Arthrocentesis can be repeated, usually daily, until no bacteria were found in the translation. Hip joint, difficult to access, may require open surgery to drain the fluid. Repeat surgery is sometimes necessary.

When the infection is controlled, the doctor may recommend gentle movements to keep the overall function. Motion can not keep the joints become stiff and weak muscles. The motion also promotes blood circulation and blood flow to help the healing process of the body faster.

Lifestyle and remedial measures

If you have been diagnosed with septic arthritis, self-care measures can help to feel better during treatment. Here are some suggestions:

Follow the instructions of the treating physician.

With your doctor's permission, engage in low-impact activities.

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or aspirin, to relieve joint pain. Rest the affected joint and apply warm compresses may help reduce pain and inflammation.