Septic arthritis
Introduction
Septic arthritisis inflammation of a joint caused by a bacterial infection. It's also known as infectious or bacterial arthritis.
Any joint can be affected by septic arthritis, but it's most common in the knees and hips. More than one joint can be affected at the same time.
Most people make a full recoveryafter treatment. Without treatment, septic arthritismay leadto permanent joint damage and can become life threatening.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 4 Jan 2017
Introduction
Read about septic arthritis, which is inflammation of a joint caused by a bacterial infection. It's also known as infectious or bacterial arthritis.
Symptoms of septic arthritis
Septic arthritis typically causes severe pain, swelling, redness and heat in affected joints. These symptoms tend to develop quickly over a few hours or days. You may also have difficulty moving the
Diagnosing septic arthritis
If your symptoms suggest septic arthritis, your GP will refer you to your nearest A&E department immediately for an assessment. You may have a Blood tests and a sample of fluid may be removed fr
Treatingseptic arthritis
Septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics . You'll normally need to stay in hospital for at least two weeks to have antibiotics given to you directly into a vein (intravenously). You may need to r
Causes of septic arthritis
The condition is most commonly caused by either: staphylococcal bacteria streptococcal bacteria These bacteria may enter a wound and travel through your bloodstream to the affected joint, or m
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