 |
Tags: health, wellness, arthritis, septic arthritis
 Of over a hundred rheumatoid and joint related conditions, there remains to be one form regarded as the most dangerous of all the acute arthritis cases. It is none other than what is termed as septic arthritis which affects 2 to 10 individuals out of 100,000. The condition, which is generally caused by a bacterial infection in the joint cavity is also prevalent among 30 to 70 individuals among 100,000 of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
The nature of the bacterial infection which underlies septic arthritis is that the infection site is often along adjacent bones or soft tissues and it is generally through the bloodstream that the infection spreads on to the joints. Much is to be said about the significance of boosting and fortifying the body’s immune system as generally those who have weak bodily defenses are predisposed to develop septic arthritis.
advertisement
The same can be said with individuals who have had immunosuppressive therapy. The culprit which is septic arthritis can affect both adults and children. For adults, the symptoms of the condition are intense pain, inflammation and swelling of affected joints and often go hand in hand with fevers and chills.
Septic arthritis often affects larger joints, such as the knee, and in most cases, the joint infection may cause immobilization of the associated limb. These vicious manifestations of septic arthritis can affect newborns or infants as well. In such cases, adults must be wary when their infant cries relentlessly and becomes irritable during movement, especially those which involve the hip.
The intense pain of septic arthritis is almost associated in the groin, the upper thighs and the buttocks. In half of the cases of septic arthritis, there is almost always an involvement of the knee as well as the wrist and the ankles. Muscle spasms are also a common indication of septic arthritis and at times before the localization of the infection, there are signs of polyarthritis.
As those who have destabilized immune systems are susceptible to this rheumatoid condition, it can be more or less anticipated that the elderly as well as alcoholic individuals are posed at higher risks for developing it. Those who have the greater likelihood of contracting septic arthritis are individuals who have had prolonged use of intravenous drugs and under this category may fall heroin addicts.
Laboratory tests such as the Gram’s stain are often conducted to positively identify the causative microorganism in the joint fluid which instigated the onset of septic arthritis. Radioisotope scan, x-ray and white blood cell count are also some of the additional methods through which septic arthritis can be diagnosed. A week or two after the onset of septic arthritis, changes in the joints can be detected through an x-ray while the radioisotope scan is often conducted to check for changes and the indications of inflammation and infection in joints like the spinal articulations which are less accessible.
As soon as the causative microorganism for septic arthritis is identified, an antibiotic therapy is generally administered. A higher cure rate and elimination of the bacterial infection is more likely demonstrated by those who has had intervention of septic arthritis in the initial stages, such as during the first 7 days of the onset of the condition rather than those who initiated treatment a month or so after the infection started.
Visit our Eazol Shop for safe and natural means to address arthritis.
About the author
The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose recently published a step-by-step guide on how to lose weight the EASY way and become totally healthy and happy. More info on her life-changing eating habits plan HERE.
Share this article
You may reprint this article in its entirety on your web site, newsletter or ezine, providing you leave the About the author sections intact. You may not alter the contents.
|
|
