Septic arthritis history and symptoms


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jumana Nagarwala, M.D., Senior Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital;

Overview
Septic arthritis should be considered whenever one is assessing a patient with joint pain. Usually only one joint is affected (monoarthritis) however in seeding arthritis, several joints can be affected simultaneously; this is especially the case when the infection is caused by staphylococcus or gonococcus bacteria.

History & Symptoms
Symptoms usually come on quickly. There is a fever, and joint swelling that is usually in just one joint. There is also intense joint pain, which gets worse with movement.

Symptoms in newborns or infants:
 * Cries when infected joint is moved (example: diaper change causes crying if hip joint is infected)
 * Fever
 * Inability to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)
 * Irritability

Symptoms in children and adults:
 * Inability to move the limb with the infected joint (pseudoparalysis)
 * Intense joint pain
 * Joint swelling
 * Joint redness
 * Low fever

Chills may occur, but are uncommon.