Acute Suppurative Arthritis
This is a disease of the joints and is an infectious arthritis. This is an inflammation caused by pus-forming organisms primarily seen in infants and children 1 or 2 years of age.
The joints that are commonly involved are:
1. Hip joint
2. Knee joint
3. Elbow joint
The most common causative agents are the Staphylococcus organisms.
However, the following are also involved:
Streptococcus hemolyticus, Streptococcus pneumonia, H. Influenzae, Gonococcus, Meningococcus, E. coli and Salmonella.
The onset of symptoms is usually sudden with pain in the affected joint as the presenting complaint.
In this state, the organism becomes lodged in the synovial membrane which causes the joint to become edematous, swollen, and hyperemic. There will be accompanying fever too.
Because of the joint pain, the affected joint is in moderate flexion. After a few days, there will be pus accumulation in the joint cavity that may later progress to destructive and degenerative changes of the hyaline cartilage.
It is very important to seek proper consultation in cases of joint pains for assessment and management.
Laboratories will be taken like X-rays. What is seen in the affected joint in radiologic examinations is the distension of the joint capsule in the initial stage and later it will become narrow with areas of rarefaction.
Early interventions will also avoid complications like dislocation, fibrous or bony ankylosis and avascular necrosis.