Q.1)
What is septic arthritis?
A.1)
It is the infection of a joint. It affects the lining membrane of
a joint called the synovium. In very young children it breaks into
the joint from the bone. It occurs when inflammation and pus of
the bone break into the joint. Osteomyelitis is infection of the
bone.
| Figure
1 Septic arthiritis of the right hip joint |
 |
 |
Q.2)
How does it occur?
A.2)
In newborns, due to weak immune system and a weak body resistance,
infection spreads from other sites like boils, respiratory system,
ear etc.
Hospital
acquired infection occurs due to invasive procedures which involve
tampering with the normal body linings e.g. when blood is drawn
from the femoral vein it may cause hip joint infection. A heel
puncture may cause infection of the heel bone. Infection can then
spread from the bone to the adjacent joint.
Q.3) What are the symptoms?
A.3)
The symptoms are difficult to detect in a young baby as they do
not give rise to bodily symptoms for e.g. fever. If body does
not react to the infection, there may be no fever and the absence
of fever may mislead doctors.
The
child may be irritable or cranky. The child cry when handled moved
or when nappies are changed.
There
may be swelling of the joint depending on the stage of the infection.
Also, the child may be reluctant to move the affected extremity
(also called pseudoparalysis).
Septic
arthritis can always be suspected but never confirmed on clinical
grounds. Doctors have to be very vigilant to suspect the condition.
Last updated on
13-06-2001
