Septic arthritis laboratory findings

Septic arthritis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Septic Arthritis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgical Therapy
Primary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Septic arthritis laboratory findings On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Septic arthritis laboratory findings All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Septic arthritis laboratory findings
CDC on Septic arthritis laboratory findings
Septic arthritis laboratory findings in the news
Blogs on Septic arthritis laboratory findings
Directions to Hospitals Treating Septic arthritis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Septic arthritis laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jumana Nagarwala, M.D., Senior Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Laboratory Findings

The diagnosis of septic arthritis can be difficult as no test is able to completely rule out the possibility.

A number of factors should increase ones suspicion of the presence of an infection. In children these are: fever > 38.5 C, non weight bearing, serum WCBs > 12 x 10^9, ESR > 40 mm/hr, CRP > 20 mg/dL, a previous visit for the same.

Joint Fluid Aspiration

Diagnosis is by aspiration (giving a turbid, non-viscous fluid), gram stain and culture of fluid from the joint, as well as tell-tale signs in laboratory testing (such as a highly elevated neutrophils (approx. 90%), ESR or CRP). A proportion of patients with septic arthritis have little in the way of fever or raised ESR, although the CRP is usually raised.

Gram Stain

The gram stain can rule in the diagnosis of septic arthritis however cannot exclude it.

References

Template:WikiDoc Sources