Joint infection (septic arthritis) Pokenga pona ngokoire
You can get a joint infection (septic arthritis) if germs get into a joint. A joint infection needs urgent medical treatment.
Causes of a joint infection
A joint sometimes gets infected:
- if you have an injury or accident to a joint
- if germs from somewhere else in your body spread into your blood and then into a joint
- as a complication of joint surgery.
Symptoms of a joint infection
Symptoms of a joint infection are:
- a joint suddenly swelling
- severe joint pain
- redness and heat around the joint
- a fever or generally feeling unwell.
Tamariki with a joint infection are unwell, usually with a fever, limping and not wanting to use an arm or leg.
Complications of a joint infection
If a joint infection is not diagnosed and treated quickly it can lead to serious problems, including:
- general infection in the blood (sepsis), which can be life threatening
- damage to the joint, which can lead to disability
- loosening of an artificial (replacement) joint, if you have one.
Diagnosing a joint infection
Sometimes it is hard to tell if your symptoms are due to a joint infection or gout.
If your healthcare provider thinks you have a joint infection, they will send you to hospital to see a specialist team.
You will have blood tests and x-rays or scans of your joint. The specialist team may also use a needle to take fluid from the affected joint. This is called a joint aspiration.
Treating a joint infection
You will have antibiotic treatment given into a vein (intravenously). You will then need to take a long course of antibiotic tablets.
You may also need surgery to have the joint washed out.
You may need physiotherapy to get back normal movement in your joint.
Self care after a joint infection
It is important that you complete taking the course of antibiotics you are given and do the exercises recommended by your physiotherapist.
You can also help your recovery by resting the affected joint when not doing your physiotherapy exercises.
If the joint is still swollen:
- try to lie down and keep the joint raised (above the level of your heart) as much as possible
- place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas (wrapped in a cloth so it does not touch the skin) onto the joint — do this for about 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours.