title: Septic arthritis associated with closed intra-articular fracture: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteomyelitis in the setting of closed fractures is a recognized association in the literature, but to our knowledge, septic arthritis after a closed intra-articular fracture has not yet been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of 3 cases of septic arthritis after closed intra-articular fractures of the proximal phalanx of the great toe, distal tibia, and distal humerus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients presented with fever, erythema, pain, and elevated infectious indices. All patients had a delay in diagnosis of up to 10 days. On diagnosis, all patients underwent open irrigation and debridement and were treated with organism-specific antibiotics for Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae. One patient required metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, whereas the other 2 patients returned to full function after a prolonged treatment course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Septic arthritis after closed intra-articular fracture is a rare clinical condition and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103-8894, USA. vkulkarni@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Vedant A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schiffman
authors.forename: Avi C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Baitner
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mubarak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003646:Debridement; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents