Septic arthritis risk factors


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

Risk Factors
The following conditions increase your risk for septic arthritis: Septic arthritis may be seen at any age. In children, it occurs most often in those younger than 3 years. The hip is often the site of infection in infants. Septic arthritis is uncommon from age 3 to adolescence. Children with septic arthritis are more likely than adults to be infected with Group B streptococcus or Haemophilus influenza, if they have not been vaccinated.
 * Artificial joint implants
 * Bacterial infection somewhere else in your body
 * Chronic illness or disease (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and sickle cell disease)
 * Intravenous (IV) or injection drug use
 * Medications that suppress your immune system
 * Recent joint injury
 * Recent joint arthroscopy or other surgery