Septic Joint: A Limb-Threatening Infection

Course overview

Suppurative arthritis is classified as either gonococcal or nongonococcal. In younger sexually active people, nearly three-fourths of cases are due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In children and older people, Staphylococcus aureus is the cause of most cases of septic arthritis. The increased incidence of S. aureus parallels the use of prosthetic joints and use of immunosuppressive medications. S. aureus is responsible for more than three-fourths of infected joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Other causes of septic joint include streptococcus and gram-negative rods. Delay in diagnosis and/or treatment can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.