Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection that occurs when bacteria (sometimes fungi or viruses) spread from your bloodstream to the joints. It’s important to seek immediate septic arthritis (joint infection) treatment in Thane if you suspect an infection, as delayed treatment can lead to severe damage.
Although anyone can develop septic arthritis, infants and older people are at an increased risk. The inflammation can occur in your knee joint, shoulders, and hips. Here’s a look at the common causes of septic arthritis.
Causes of Septic Arthritis
a) Bacterial Infection
Bacteria are often the culprits in septic arthritis. It’s mostly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but in some cases, Streptococcus species might travel from other parts of the body to the bloodstream, eventually reaching the joint.
Rarely, a puncture wound, an injection, or a surgical procedure near the joint can lead to the bacteria entering the joint, causing inflammation.
b) Viral Infections
Although viruses are less common and less complicated than bacterial infections, they can also find their way into your joints.
The virus can directly enter the joint space, or your immune system might react to an existing viral infection in other parts of your body, causing septic-arthritis-like symptoms. The chikungunya virus, for example, might trigger joint inflammation, making movements painful.
c) Fungal Infections
These are also rare but can be serious. Fungal arthritis develops gradually, often taking weeks or months to cause joint damage.
Like bacteria and viruses, fungi could enter the joints through your bloodstream. They might reach the blood through the skin or lungs. Or, they can be introduced to your joints directly during surgery.
Risk Factors
Here are a few common risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing septic arthritis:
i) Existing Joint Problems
People with existing joint issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis or damaged joints, are more prone to developing septic arthritis than those with healthy joints. That happens because the immune system might be unable to fight off infections due to inadequate blood supply to the affected joint.
ii) Weakened Immune System
People with a strong immune system can fight off infections effectively before they invade joints. However, if you have a weakened immune system due to HIV, cancer, chronic kidney diseases, diabetes, and other medical issues, you might be at an increased risk of septic arthritis.
iii) Recent Surgery or Injury
Germs can directly enter your joint through an injury. For example, an animal bite or a serious accident could expose your joints to germs. Likewise, bacteria, fungi, and viruses can be introduced to your joint during surgery.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Sudden and sharp joint pain
- Swollen joint
- High-grade fever
- Inability to move your joint
- Bruised and discolored joint
Joint fluid analysis is the most common diagnostic method for septic arthritis. Blood tests and imaging can also be used to determine the severity of the disease.
Prevention and Treatment
An orthopedic surgeon in Thane will prescribe antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection and drain the fluid from the joint. To ensure prompt medical care, antibiotics might initially be administered through IV. Sometimes, surgery is recommended to drain excess fluid from the hip joint.
