Infectious Arthritis - symptom, Treatment of Infectious Arthritis
Infectious Arthritis Information
Inflammation of a joint following infection.
Common infecting organisms causing arthritis are:
- Neisseria gonorrheae,
- staphylococcus, and
- other bacteria, but
- arthritis is also caused by tuberculosis, syphilis, and rarely,
fungi.
Symptoms of Infectious Arthritis
- Most often an inflamed and painful joint of recent onset.
- In tuberculosis, however, the arthritis may be of
long-standing.
- Most commonly only a single joint is affected, usually the
knee or hip.
- Effusion (collection of fluid in the joint cavity) and
limitation of movement, occur early.
- Fever and toxicity is common in bacterial infections, but
may be absent in tuberculous arthritis.
Treatment of Infectious Arthritis
The diagnosis of Infectious Arthritis is made on physical examination, a blood count
and X-ray.
The effusion may be examined by aspiration under sterile
conditions. This can be done without anaesthesia.
Infectious Arthritis treatment requires hospitalization for acute bacterial
infections with effusion.
If pus has been found in the synovial fluid, the joint must be
surgically drained and cleansed. Intravenous antibiotics are
prescribed and the joint is rested till the pain subsides.
Tuberculous arthritis is usually long-standing, developing over
months. It involves a single joint, usually the knee or the hip.
There may be an effusion and the synovium may be
thickened. Treatment is with anti-tubercular drugs.
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