Arthritis is a term used to describe damage to bone joints, a term many of us will become familiar with as we grow older. However, this illness can afflict even young children, making it painful to move, although it is most commonly associated with people over the age of 50. Septic arthritis is most often caused by bacteria, although a virus or fungus may also be to blame, and this disease can affect anyone of any age. However, some factors are thought to lead to an increased risk.

Who's Most at Risk

Prosthetic joints and bones are being used more often and to greater effect now than ever before, but this also leads to a much greater risk for septic arthritis. Implementing prosthetics carry many of the same risks as organ transplants and blood transfusions, although prosthetic limbs are more susceptible to bacterial infections while the others, for all intents and purposes, might force the body to have an allergic reaction.

Symptoms and Bone Damage

Septic arthritis is a dangerous illness for bones. Within days of the infection, a person can feel soreness and eventually pain around the infected regions. While that in itself does not sound too awfully bad, even bearable, septic arthritis can cause permanent damage to cartilage in bone joints. When that happens and goes untreated for a while, it is nearly impossible to heal and is unlikely to ever return to pre-septic arthritis healthiness. With treatment, the infection can be cleared up within a few days or weeks, although from time to time it can take months or even a few years if the infection is really bad. In rare cases, septic arthritis lasts a lifetime, although this is very uncommon.

Depending on the bacteria or fungus infecting the joint, doctors can prescribe a myriad of treatments aimed at eliminating the problem as quickly as possible. Possible treatments include medication, either intravenously or in the form of pills, exercise, and physical therapy. Septic arthritis is a serious problem that indicates other serious problems are present in a patient. Some of the diseases responsible for this form of arthritis are very harmful when present in other areas of the body and need to be dealt with as quickly as possible. The most important thing to keep in mind when dealing with septic arthritis is early diagnosis and treatment, especially because the underlying causes of this disease can create other, even more serious problems elsewhere. Keep these ideas in mind, and septic arthritis need not cause any worry.