Acute septic arthritis is an extremely painful infection of a joint. Viruses, fungi and bacteria all are causes of septic arthritis. This condition is more common in seniors and children because they tend to have weaker immune systems. Knees and shoulders as well as elbows are commonly infected. If not treated promptly, septic arthritis can cause lasting damage.
Signs
Extreme pain and swelling in the infected area and pain during motion are the most common signs of septic arthritis. Loss of appetite, irritability, and increased heart rate are other signs of the condition. Symptoms may appear suddenly or manifest themselves gradually. Infections of the hip are common in children, and infections of the knee are common in adults.
Causes
When a joint is exposed to an infectious agent, it only has minimal defense, so bacteria or fungi easily damage it. The infectious agent can spread to one joint from another infected area of the body, causing inflammation. Viruses also can cause septic arthritis, but that type of infection is not common and the damage is usually minimal. Hepatitis A, B and C and certain erythroviruses can cause viral septic arthritis.
Diagnosis and Remedies
Generally, there are two steps to diagnose septic arthritis. The first step is blood testing to confirm the presence of inflammation. The second step is examining the joint using X-rays and fluid samples to ascertain the infectious agent. Depending on the cause, anti-viral, antibiotic or anti-fungal medication may be used as treatment. Depending on the severity of the infection, surgical drainage also may be an option.
Exercise and Risks
Exercising while suffering from septic arthritis can be dangerous. With this condition, your joints are delicate and prone to injury. After a consultation, your physician may recommend low-impact, low-intensity exercises, while avoiding high-impact exercise such as running, jumping, contact sports, skating and strenuous weightlifting until your condition improves. Biking, walking and rowing are examples of low-impact exercise, avoiding impact on your joints. Regular low-impact exercise can help your joints become stable, and may alleviate septic arthritis pain.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Septic Arthritis
- "Control of Communicable Diseases Manual 18th Edition"; David L. Heymann; 2004
- "Exercise and Health"; Prof. T. A. Asmangulyan; 1997
- "Physiology (5th Edition)"; Robert M. Berne, Matthew N. Levy, Bruce M. Koeppen and Bruce A. Stanton; 2003
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 16th Edition"; Lawrence Madoff, James Macguire, Kenneth Brandt, Bruce Gillaind, Scott Thaier; 2005
