Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is infection inside a joint, usually caused by bacteria. The infection can rapidly damage cartilage and requires urgent treatment.

Synovial fluid: The viscous fluid inside synovial joints that lubricates cartilage and supplies it with nutrients. Bacteria and inflammatory cells accumulate in this fluid during joint infection.
Acute monoarthritis: Sudden inflammation affecting one joint, with pain, swelling, and restricted movement. Septic arthritis is a dangerous cause of this clinical pattern.
Crystal arthropathy: Joint inflammation caused by crystals deposited in or around a joint. Crystal arthritis can mimic infection, and finding crystals does not rule out simultaneous infection.
Cartilage: A resilient connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints and reduces friction during movement. Bacterial inflammation and enzymes can rapidly erode this joint surface.
Synovial membrane: The tissue lining a synovial joint that produces synovial fluid and helps regulate exchange within the joint. Infection inflames this lining and can spread into the joint space.
Staphylococcus aureus: A bacterium that commonly colonizes skin and can cause invasive infections in humans. It is a leading cause of bacterial septic arthritis.
Gout: Inflammatory arthritis caused by deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and tissues. A sudden red, painful joint may be gout or infection, and the distinction changes treatment.
Osteomyelitis: Infection of bone, most often caused by bacteria. Joint infection can extend into adjacent bone, complicating treatment.
Joint aspiration: A procedure that withdraws fluid from a joint with a needle for testing or treatment. Sampling infected joint fluid helps identify the cause and guide care.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae: A bacterium that causes gonorrhea and can spread through the bloodstream to infect joints. It is a characteristic cause of septic arthritis in sexually active adults.

Linked from 9 pages