How is septic arthritis treated? Medications, antibiotics, rehabilitation

Author:
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker

Immediate treatment is necessary, as irreversible damage to the joint can occur even after a few days of delay or neglect.

With a positive clinical picture, elevated CRP and sedimentation, puncture with culture and sensitivity is performed immediately. Subsequently, antibiotics to which the causative bacterium is sensitive are deployed.

Antibiotics are given for a long time, several weeks to months.

At the first moment, an antibiotic can be given even without sensitivity, so as not to delay the treatment - so called blindly.

In combination to antibiotic therapy, it is necessary to open the joint, i.e. do an arthroscopy. The aim is to clean and flush the joint, remove any pus or adhesions from the joint. A drain is introduced.

For specific inflammations, specific treatments are given, for example for tuberculosis or gonorrhoea.

Antibiotic treatment is complemented by pain treatment, for example, analgesics, non-steroidal antiphlogistics are used. Ointment, topical gel or nutritional supplements for joint regeneration may be used as support. Also, vitamins C + D.

After healing, rehabilitation is necessary, which may include physiotherapy.

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Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker
The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.
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