HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Joint infection (septic arthritis)
Pokenga pona ngokoire
You can get a joint infection (septic arthritis) if germs get into a joint. This can happen:
- if you have an injury or accident to a joint
- if germs from somewhere else in your body spread into your blood and then into a joint
- as a complication of joint surgery.
Symptoms of a joint infection
Symptoms of a joint infection are:
- a joint suddenly swelling
- severe joint pain
- redness and heat around the joint
- a fever or generally feeling unwell.
Children with a joint infection are unwell, usually with a fever, limping and not wanting to use an arm or leg.
Important
A joint infection needs urgent medical treatment.
If you have any of these symptoms it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosing a joint infection
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your symptoms are due to a joint infection or gout.
If your doctor believes you have a joint infection, they will send you to hospital to see a specialist team.
You will have blood tests and X-rays or scans of your joint. The specialist team may also use a needle to take fluid from the affected joint. This is called a joint aspiration.
Treating a joint infection
Initially, you will be treated with antibiotics into a vein (intravenously). You will then need to take a long course of antibiotic tablets.
You may also need surgery to have the joint washed out.
You may need physiotherapy to get your joint's normal movement back.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Patient.info – Septic arthritis
Information about septic arthritis diagnosis, symptoms and treatment.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2024.
SourcesReview key: HISHE-19164
