Surgical Intervention for Treatment of Septic Arthritis in Infancy and Childhood; A Retrospective Study

Septic arthritis is a fearful condition because of its mortality and the potentially late sequels on immature skeleton including limb shortening, osteomyelitis, destruction of joint surface, severe limitation of motion, and dislocation. This study was performed to reveal the final outcome of our patients and find out the possible risk factors of poor result. The case records of 243 children who were admitted with the diagnosis of septic arthritis in Imam Khomeini and Bu Ali Sina Hospitals, Mazandaran Province, were studied between 1996 and 2005. The diagnosis was based on clinical and ultrasound findings in all patients and positive smear in 67% of them. Among these patients, we had access to 162 cases who had definitely septic arthritis and went through surgical interventions because of the involvement of the hip joint or uncertain response to medical treatments. As four out of six poor outcome cases were related to hip sepsis, hip was the main site of involvement and complications. Six cases of severe complications out of 162 showed the favorite result due to early diagnosis and intervention and highlighted the grave prognostic factors which were delayed diagnosis, infantile age and hip sepsis.