Overview of Paediatric Bone and Joint Infections

Paediatric bone and joint infections are common, and can be challenging to diagnose due to significant variation in the signs and symptoms depending on the age of the patient, site of infection and causative organism. Both septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are common, often co-existing. Surgeons must have a consistent approach to investigation and management of these patients to minimise morbidity from unrecognised or undertreated infection. We provide an overview of the epidemiology, presentation, investigation and management of both septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in children.