Septic arthritis most commonly causes pain, swelling, and warmth at the affected joint.[1][2] Therefore, those affected by septic arthritis will often refuse to use the extremity and prefer to hold the joint rigidly. Fever is also a symptom; however, it is less likely in older patients.[3]
The most common joint affected is the knee.[3] Hip, shoulder, wrist, or elbow joints are less commonly affected.[4] Spine, sternoclavicular, and sacroiliac joints can also be involved; however, the most common cause of arthritis in these joints is intravenous drug use.[2]
Usually only one joint is effected. More than one joint can be involved if bacteria are seeded through the bloodstream.[2]
- ^ Horowitz, DL; Katzap, E; Horowitz, S; Barilla-LaBarca, ML (15 September 2011). "Approach to septic arthritis". American Family Physician. 84 (6): 653–60. PMID 21916390.
- ^ a b c "Infectious Arthritis". Harrison's principles of internal medicine. Kasper, Dennis L.,, Fauci, Anthony S., 1940-, Hauser, Stephen L.,, Longo, Dan L. (Dan Louis), 1949-, Jameson, J. Larry,, Loscalzo, Joseph (19th ed.). New York. 2105. ISBN 9780071802161. OCLC 893557976.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b Margaretten, Mary E.; Kohlwes, Jeffrey; Moore, Dan; Bent, Stephen (2007-04-04). "Does this adult patient have septic arthritis?". JAMA. 297 (13): 1478–1488. doi:10.1001/jama.297.13.1478. ISSN 1538-3598. PMID 17405973.
- ^ Goldberg, D.L.; Sexton, D.J. (2017). "Septic arthritis in adults". UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc.