Bacterial arthritis

Abstract

During the years 1980-89, 13 patients were hospitalized because of bacterial arthritis of the peripheral joints. There were five juvenile patients (under 15 years of age). The remaining eight patients were adults, of whom seven were older than 50 years. The mean delay in establishing the diagnosis was four days (0-10 days). Monarthritis was found in 12 patients, and in one patient two joints were involved. The most commonly affected joints were the shoulder (four cases), knee (four cases), ankle (three cases), hip (two cases) and toe (one case). A predisposing condition was found in five patients, and three cases suffered from reduced mobility of the joint at follow-up. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common etiologic agent.