Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Septic Arthritis in Haseki Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic

• Main Authors: Cem Yıldırım, Duran Can Muslu, Osman Görkem Muratoğlu, Samed Ordu, Özlem Altuntaş Aydın, Erhan Bayram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Yayinevi 2020-01-01
• Series: Haseki Tıp Bülteni
• Subjects: septic arthritis; epidemiology; diagnosis; treatment
• Online Access: http://www.hasekidergisi.com/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/epidemiology-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-acute-sept/28712
• ISSN: 1302-0072; 2147-2688

Aim:Septic arthritis may represent a direct invasion of joint space by various microorganisms. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of patients with septic arthritis in our clinic and to discuss the diagnosis, treatment and management.Methods:Thirty-four patients diagnosed with septic arthritis between June 2008 and December 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients, microorganisms causing infection and treatment choice were analyzed.Results:Most patients were male (55.9%) and the mean age of the patients was 42.8 (1-87) years. The knee was the most often affected joint (91.6%). Fever was present in only 17.6% of the cases. Gram staining was positive in only 17.6% of the synovial fluid samples analyzed. Among the 34 patients studied, 10 had positive synovial fluid culture (29.4%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen.Conclusion:Gram negative staining, absence of fever and normal leukocyte count do not rule out septic arthritis but only reduce the possibility. Samples should be taken prior to antibiotic treatment to avoid false negative detection of positive samples. Serial needle aspiration, drainage and empirical antibiotherapy should be kept in mind in the treatment of septic arthritis.