title: Septic Arthritis of Native Joints.
abstract: Septic arthritis is a rheumatologic emergency that may lead to disability or death. Prompt evacuation of the joint, either by arthrocentesis at the bedside, open or arthroscopic drainage in the operating room, or imaging-guided drainage in the radiology suite, is mandatory. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major cause of septic arthritis in the United States. MRSA joint infection seems to be associated with worse outcomes. Antibiotic courses of 3 to 4 weeks in duration are usually adequate for uncomplicated bacterial arthritis. Treatment duration should be extended to 6 weeks if there is imaging evidence of accompanying osteomyelitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Francis Street, PBB-B420, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: jross4@partners.org.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007596:Joints / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Arthrocentesis; MRSA; Septic arthritis; Synovial fluid