Approach to the Septic Joint

Septic arthritis is an uncommon condition in small animal medicine, but it requires prompt diagnosis and treatment because it can cause substantial damage to articular hyaline cartilage. Septic arthritis can occur with infection by mycoplasmal, mycobacterial, fungal, and protozoal agents. This chapter is focused primarily on bacterial septic arthritis. Numerous methods can be used to treat septic arthritis and have been broadly categorized as either medical or surgical. Medical treatment consists of intravenous or oral antibiotic administration or both. Interventional treatment options have evolved to include joint irrigation and drainage through hypodermic needles, arthroscopy, arthrotomy, and local and regional antibiotic application. Clinical outcome in patients with septic arthritis is highly variable, and the potential for substantial long-term impediment makes timely diagnosis and treatment important.