Septic arthritis history and symptoms
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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]
Overview
Septic arthritis should be considered whenever one is assessing a patient with joint pain. Usually only one joint is affected (monoarthritis) however in seeding arthritis, several joints can be affected simultaneously; this is especially the case when the infection is caused by staphylococcus or gonococcus bacteria.
History & Symptoms
Symptoms usually come on quickly. There is a fever, and joint swelling that is usually in just one joint. There is also intense joint pain, which gets worse with movement.
Symptoms in newborns or infants:
- Cries when infected joint is moved (example: diaper change causes crying if hip joint is infected)
- Fever
- Inability to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)
- Irritability
Symptoms in children and adults:
- Inability to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)
- Intense joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Joint redness
- Low fever
Chills may occur, but are uncommon.