Infectious arthritis

Abstract

Patients (113) with 120 episodes of septic arthritis were seen during a 14 yr period. The most common bacteria cultured from joint fluid or blood during the acute episodes were gonococci, staphylococci and streptococci. Seventeen other bacteria were the infecting organisms in 1 or more cases each. Other infections and medical conditions frequently were present. In some instances the septic arthritis was a complication of another infection. In other patients septic arthritis appeared to occur because of diminished resistance to infection. The majority of patients responded well to medical treatment, but 8 died and 26 had persistence of articular pain at follow-up examination.