Infectious Arthritis - treatment

Infectious Arthritis - INFLAMMATION of a JOINT that results from INFECTION. The infectious agent (PATHOGEN) may be BACTERIA or mycobacteria or a VIRUS, or fungus and travels to the joint through the BLOOD circulation. Infectious arthritis, also called septic arthritis, may also develop as a consequence of contamination during surgery on the joint. The doctor may withdraw fluid from the infected joint to examine its cells and determine the causative pathogen.

Infectious Arthritis Treatment

Immediate treatment with the appropriate ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS or ANTIFUNGAL MEDICATIONS is essential to limit damage to the joint. NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) are effective for relieving inflammation, PAIN, and FEVER associated with infectious arthritis. Sometimes needle aspiration or surgery is necessary to drain accumulated pus from the joint. With prompt and appropriate treatment, most people recover from infectious arthritis with few or no complications or long-lasting residual effects.

See also OSTEOARTHRITIS; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS; SYNOVITIS; TENDONITIS.

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