Septic arthritis
Overview
Septic arthritis is a serious type of joint infection. It should be treated as soon as possible. You can make a full recovery with treatment but if left untreated it can be more serious.
Causes
You can get septic arthritis if germs get into a joint. This can happen: if you have an injury or accident to a jointif germs from somewhere else in the body spread into the blood and then into a jointas a complication of joint surgery
Treatment
If doctors think you have symptoms of septic arthritis: you'll usually be treated in hospital with antibiotics given straight into a veinfluid may be drained from the affected jointyou'll probably have to take antibiotic tablets for several weeks after you leave hospital The average stay in hospital if you have septic arthritis is about 2 weeks. Most people start feeling better quickly once they are given antibiotics. You may be referred to a physiotherapist to help you get the joint moving again. This should help prevent any long-term stiffness in the joint. If the infection was in an artificial joint, such as in a knee or hip replacement, the joint may need to be removed. It may be possible to replace it with a new artificial joint once the infection has been treated.