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Review
. 2024 Jun 11;16(6):e62179.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.62179. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Investigation and Management of Lower Limb Septic Arthritis in Children: An Update Using the Latest British Orthopaedic Association Standard for Trauma (BOAST) Guidelines

Alexandra Sebastiao  1 , Haseeb Khawar  2 , Russell Hawkins  3
Affiliations
Review

Investigation and Management of Lower Limb Septic Arthritis in Children: An Update Using the Latest British Orthopaedic Association Standard for Trauma (BOAST) Guidelines

Alexandra Sebastiao et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Septic arthritis is a serious condition in children, with the hip and knee joints most typically affected. Patients typically present with pain, joint swelling, fever, and an inability to bear weight. Early recognition and treatment are crucial, as untreated septic arthritis can lead to serious complications, including sepsis, irreversible joint damage, growth problems, and early-onset arthritis. Clinical signs, inflammatory markers, and imaging are used for the diagnosis of septic arthritis. The mainstay of management includes antibiotic therapy and surgical washout. Long-term follow-up is essential to monitor for complications.

Keywords: child; joint infection; knee and hip; lower limb; pediatric orthopedics; sepsis; septic arthritis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Intellectual property info: Images used in the article are referenced and cited from radiopaedia.org. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Plain lateral X-ray of the knee showing a joint effusion
Credit: Image adapted from Radiopaedia [23]. Published under Creative Common License.
Figure 2
Figure 2. MRI knee of a child with septic arthritis
Credit: Image adapted from Radiopaedia [24]. Published under Creative Common License.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Ultrasound showing joint effusion of the hip
Credit: Image adapted from Radiopaedia [25]. Published under Creative Common Licence.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Suggested treatment algorithm for managing septic arthritis
FBC: full blood count; CRP: C-reactive protein; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; NBM: nil by mouth
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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