What Is Septic Arthritis?

Septic Arthritis is a type of infectious arthritis which, as a result of a post-operative infection, represents an invasion of a large joint by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. More than 20,000 cases of septic arthritis are diagnosed every year within the United States.

As organisms invade the joint via inoculation, contiguous infection from tissue, or through the bloodstream, other joints become susceptible to becoming infected. As the bacterial infection spreads and becomes more virulent, major damage is incurred to the articular cartilage which causes fluid buildup of cytokines.

As the fluid buildup continues, cartilage erosion begins to occur along the lateral margins of the infected joint. Large effusions can occur in larger joints such as the hip can eventually result in restricted blood supply and necrosis of the bone. This advanced state can occur as early as three days into an untreated infection.