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Home :: Infectious Arthritis
Infectious Arthritis - symptom, Treatment of Infectious Arthritis
Infectious Arthritis Information
Inflammation of a joint following infection. Common infecting organisms causing arthritis are:
- Neisseria gonorrheae,
- staphylococcus, and
- other bacteria, but
- arthritis is also caused by tuberculosis, syphilis, and rarely,
fungi.
Symptoms of Infectious Arthritis
- Most often an inflamed and painful joint of recent onset.
- In tuberculosis, however, the arthritis may be of long-standing.
- Most commonly only a single joint is affected, usually the knee or hip.
- Effusion (collection of fluid in the joint cavity) and limitation of movement, occur early.
- Fever and toxicity is common in bacterial infections, but may be absent in tuberculous arthritis.
Treatment of Infectious Arthritis
The diagnosis of Infectious Arthritis is made on physical examination, a blood count and X-ray. The effusion may be examined by aspiration under sterile conditions. This can be done without anaesthesia.
Infectious Arthritis treatment requires hospitalization for acute bacterial infections with effusion. If pus has been found in the synovial fluid, the joint must be surgically drained and cleansed. Intravenous antibiotics are prescribed and the joint is rested till the pain subsides.
Tuberculous arthritis is usually long-standing, developing over months. It involves a single joint, usually the knee or the hip.
There may be an effusion and the synovium may be thickened. Treatment is with anti-tubercular drugs.
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