Native Joint Bacterial Septic Arthritis in the Adult

Abstract

Septic arthritis (SA) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition; it occurs when microorganisms invade the joint space by direct inoculation or by hematogenous spread. Up to a third of patients with septic arthritis suffer long-term disability. Challenges in the management of septic arthritis include selection of appropriate antimicrobials and selection of an appropriate joint fluid drainage method. In this review, I will focus on the epidemiology, mechanism, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of native joint bacterial septic arthritis in the adult.