Septic Arthritis – Arthritis From Infection
22 March, 2010 
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Septic arthritis develops when microorganisms invade the body joints. Although the knees are the major sites of septic arthritis, other joints of the body are also vulnerable to infection, leading to arthritis.
Septic arthritis causes
Septic arthritis is largely caused by bacterial infection. Viruses and fungi account for a small number of septic arthritis cases. Different types of bacteria can infect the body joints. However, the staph bacteria are largely responsible for this disease. If you are suffering from an infection in the urinary tract or respiratory tract, the microorganism might enter your bloodstream from the site of infection. The microorganisms circulating in your blood might make their way into the joint by piercing the protective lining of the joint. Septic arthritis develops in response to the bone infection. The immune cells travel to the affected joints to ward off the microorganisms, resulting in pain and inflammation in the affected joint.
The risk of septic arthritis is greater among people suffering from eczema, psoriasis or chronic skin infection. Poor immunity will make you vulnerable to septic arthritis. The risk of developing septic arthritis is greater among people on immunosuppressant drugs. Septic arthritis usually affects aged people and young children below three years of age. Diabetics and cancer patients could develop this bone disorder.
Symptoms of septic arthritis
Pain, inflammation, redness, tenderness and warmth in the affected joint are the common symptoms of septic arthritis. A person suffering from this ailment would also experience low-grade fever, chills and lethargy. If septic arthritis affects the hip, the pain may radiate to the groin. Children suffering from septic arthritis might experience nausea and vomiting.
Septic arthritis treatment
Antibiotics are recommended for treating bacterial infections, whereas anti fungal medications are used for treated fungal infections. To reduce the pain and inflammation in the joint, the synovial fluid is drained from the infected joint. Draining the synovial fluid helps to heal the infection fast. Hot compress could help to reduce the inflammation and irritation in the affected joint. Your doctor might suggest moderate exercises to prevent muscle stiffness. If properly treated, septic arthritis does not cause any permanent joint damage.
