title: Management of septic arthritis in children.
abstract: Forty-five children underwent initial nonoperative treatment of hematogenous septic arthritis in joints other than the hip. Only joints with symptoms for less than 6 days and without associated osteomyelitis were included. Thirty-four of the 49 joints were successfully managed by aspiration and antibiotics, whereas the remaining joints were successfully managed by surgical drainage following a lack of response to nonoperative treatment. All children had a satisfactory result after an average follow-up of greater than 3 years. Early diagnosis and treatment are more important than the method of drainage. If a lack of response is seen to initial nonoperative treatment, surgical drainage will still lead to a satisfactory outcome.
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage; D004551:Elbow Joint; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001239:Inhalation; D007719:Knee Joint; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents