SeptIc ArtrItIs Development After Intra-ArtIcular Knee InjectIons

Knee intra-articular injections are frequently used in the treatment of degenerative arthritis. However, it is known that septic arthritis may develop after the application. In this study; it was aimed to investigate the cases of knee septic arthritis occurring after intra-articular injections administered due to degenerative arthritis. Between the years 2010-2015, patients were retrospectively reviewed who treated with the diagnosis of septic arthritis following intra-articular injections due to degenerative knee arthritis. Age, sex, comorbidities, physical examination, white blood cell, sedimentation, CRP, aspirate microscopy and culture results were recorded. The mean age was 60 years (range, 46-74 years) of 12 patients (7 females, 5 males). The mean white blood cell count was 12.69 (range, 8.92-15.87) billion cells/L. The mean sedimentation rate was 50 (range, 35-100) mm/hour. The mean C-Reactive Protein level was 25.9 (range, 16-35.3) mg/L. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in three patients. In other patients, no causative pathogen was not isolated. All patients underwent surgical debridement. Although intraarticular injections are not totally safe, it can provide clinical improvement in patients in the short term. However, given the longterm effects and complications that may occur after application in the early stages of treatment of osteoarthritis, we believe that other treatments should be tried first.