Septic Arthritis | Spectrum

Definition

Septic Arthritis

Single swollen and painful joint, with severe restriction in range of motion.

Diagnosis

Synovial fluid is essential to diagnosis.

It is typically purulent with leukocyte counts ranging 50-150,000 cells/mm3.

Gram stains have a poor sensitivity of 30-50%

Common Pathogens

Select All That Apply

High suspicion for N. gonorrheae

Sexually active individuals. Tends to present with fever, chills, skin lesions, polyarthralgias and tenosynovitis and more likely to have oligoarthritis.

MRSA risk factors present

Evidence of MRSA infection elsewhere
Nasal colonization with MRSA
Injection drug use

β-Lactam Allergy

Prosthetic Joint

None of the above