Bone and Joint Infections โ€“ Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

What to Know about Joint Infections

Joint infections need fast treatment to prevent lasting damage. Doctors use two main approaches: draining the infected fluid and giving antibiotics. The drainage may happen with a needle or through surgery, depending on how severe the infection is.

Antibiotics are chosen based on which germs are causing the problem.

For people with artificial joints, treatment might be more complex. Sometimes the artificial joint needs to be removed temporarily until the infection clears. Pain medication helps manage discomfort during recovery.

Treatment usually requires a hospital stay for at least a few days. During this time, doctors monitor how well the antibiotics are working. Most people need to continue taking antibiotics at home for several weeks after leaving the hospital.

Symptoms

Septic arthritis often causes severe pain and makes it hard to use the affected joint. Common symptoms include:

  • Swelling around the joint
  • Redness in the area
  • Warmth when touching the joint
  • Fever
  • Limited movement of the affected joint

For people with artificial joints, symptoms may appear differently. Problems can develop months or even years after joint replacement surgery. Signs of infection in artificial joints typically include:

  • Mild pain and swelling
  • Joint loosening that causes pain during movement
  • Pain when putting weight on the joint
  • Pain relief when resting

In serious cases, the artificial joint might become dislocated completely.

When to Visit a Doctor

Get medical help right away if a joint suddenly hurts badly. Quick treatment can reduce damage to your joint.

For those with artificial joints, contact your doctor if you feel pain during movement.

Causes

Septic arthritis happens when infections enter a joint. Bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus (staph), cause most cases. Staph bacteria normally live on healthy skin without causing problems.

Infections can reach joints in several ways:

  • Through the bloodstream from other infections (like skin or urinary tract infections)
  • Direct entry through wounds, injections, or surgery near a joint
  • Complications from joint replacement procedures

Joint linings have poor natural defenses against infection. When germs invade a joint, your body responds with inflammation. This inflammatory response increases pressure inside the joint and reduces blood flow. Unfortunately, these protective reactions actually contribute to joint damage.

Fungal and viral infections can also cause septic arthritis, though these are less common than bacterial cases.

Risk Factors

Several factors can raise your chances of getting septic arthritis:

Joint Problems

  • Conditions like osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus
  • Previous joint surgery or injury

Artificial Joints

Infection risks exist for people with artificial joints in two main ways:

  1. Bacteria entering during the replacement surgery
  2. Germs traveling through the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications

People taking medications for rheumatoid arthritis face higher risks because these drugs can weaken the immune system. This makes infections more likely and diagnosis harder since symptoms overlap with those of rheumatoid arthritis itself.

Skin Issues

Fragile skin provides entry points for bacteria. Risk increases with:

  • Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema
  • Poorly healing wounds
  • Regular injection drug use

Weakened Immune System

Your risk goes up if your immune system isnโ€™t working well due to:

  • Diabetes
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver issues
  • Immunosuppressive medications

Joint Injuries

Direct damage to joints can lead to infection, including:

  • Animal bites over joints
  • Puncture wounds
  • Cuts on or near joints

Having multiple risk factors increases your overall chance of developing septic arthritis more than having just one factor alone.

Complications

Septic arthritis needs quick treatment. Without fast care, the joint can wear down and suffer lasting harm. This happens as the infection damages the joint tissues.

For people with artificial joints, septic arthritis creates special problems. The infection may cause the joint to become loose or move out of place.

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.