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Septic Arthritis |
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Septic arthritis poses the biggest threat to young
children and the elderly as their immune systems can be compromised due to
their age. This disease should not be taken lightly as it has a tendency to
damage bone cartilage as well as creating septic shock which can be fatal.
Septic arthritis also called infectious or bacterial arthritis is not as
common as some other types of arthritis, it needs to be diagnosed and
treated quickly because it can damage joints in just a short period of time.
Septic arthritis is the reproduction of bacteria in the joints that results
to inflammation. Bacteria are either carried by the bloodstream from an
infectious source elsewhere or are initiated by a skin lesion that
penetrates the joint. It arises most in persons who have had a traumatic
injury, persons with artificial joints, and in persons with bacteremia
(presence of bacteria in the blood) where organisms can spread from the
blood into joint space.
Septic arthritis should be suspected when one joint is affected causing
joint swelling, intense joint pain, and low-grade fever. In children, septic
arthritis can occur with the following bacterium: Bacilli, Hemophilius, and
Staphylococci. It occurs most often in children less than three years old.
The hip is a frequent location of infection in infants. These bacteria’s can
be life-threatening if they overtake the joints and spread to the organs.
Senior citizens are prone to septic arthritis through Staphylococci,
Gonococci, and Streptococci. The acute form of septic arthritis is usually
caused by organisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
and group B streptococci; the chronic form although rarer is caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans.
The risk that septic arthritis pose include a simultaneous bacterial
infection, chronic illness, diseases or medications that suppress the immune
system, rheumatoid arthritis, intravenous drug abuse, and sickle cell
disease.
What tests are used? Common tests used to diagnose the existence of septic
arthritis includes: blood culture; synovial fluid analysis or culture of
joint fluid; and X-ray of joints.
What are the treatments? Antibiotic treatments are initiated as soon as the
diagnosis is made, based on the best clinical judgment of the organism that
causes it. The exact antibiotic that will be used will depend on the
microorganism that is taken from the synovial fluid, and the choice of
antibiotic depends on which are active against the bacteria and how
effective it can be in getting into joint space where the infection is.
When synovial fluids amass quickly in the joint due to the infection,
regular aspiration (using a needle and suction to remove the liquid) is
required to relieve the pressure and to attain material to culture the
specific pathogen. Surgery may be needed to drain the fluid in more sever
cases.
Rest, immobilization, elevation, and warm compresses for pain relief
measures may be used at the start of the treatment. Exercises for the
affected joints can aid in the recovery process. |
| This article
is provided courtesy of Roxanne Courtmanch. Please visit
www.thehelpingcircle.com for more articles on arthritis
as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you.
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Arthritis Articles
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Rheumatoid Arthritis 2
One of the most common forms of arthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease, characterized mainly by inflammation of
the lining,
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
One of the forms of arthritis commonly occurring
among persons aged 60 and above, rheumatoid arthritis is a result of
a defective immune system
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder for
which there is no known cure. Because rheumatoid arthritis presents
itself in many different forms and ways,
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Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis poses the biggest threat to young
children and the elderly as their immune systems can be compromised due to
their age.
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Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease
that causes the immune system to attack the joints; this abnormal autoimmune
response
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What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease; this means
that your immune system attacks other parts of your body resulting to
redness, pain,
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What is Arthritis?
One of the leading causes – if not the leading cause – of
disability in the United States is arthritis. This means that over 16
million adults are forced
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