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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Arthroscopic treatment for septic arthritis of the shoulder in an infant
Toru Morihara1, Yuji Arai, Motoyuki Horii
1Department of Orthopaedics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
Insights
Early arthroscopic intervention for infant shoulder septic arthritis showed encouraging results. This treatment, including irrigation and debridement, led to a full recovery with no signs of infection and maintained shoulder mobility.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Septic arthritis in infants presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
- Prompt treatment is crucial for preventing long-term joint damage.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old boy presented with fever and right upper arm pain, progressing to a swollen, erythematous shoulder.
- Aspiration revealed group A Streptococcus, confirming septic arthritis.
- The patient underwent arthroscopic irrigation, debridement, and synovectomy.
Findings:
- Post-operatively, the patient's temperature normalized, and inflammatory markers improved.
- At 1-year follow-up, there was no evidence of infection and a full range of motion was achieved.
- Early diagnosis and intervention (within 5 days of onset) were key factors in the successful outcome.
Implications:
- Arthroscopic surgery is a viable treatment option for infant shoulder septic arthritis.
- Minimally invasive procedures can lead to favorable outcomes in pediatric septic arthritis.
- Emphasizing timely medical attention for pediatric joint infections is vital for optimal prognosis.
Abstract:
We report a case of septic arthritis in the shoulder of an infant treated with a combination of arthroscopic irrigation, debridement, and synovectomy. The results were encouraging. The patient was a boy who was 2 years 6 months of age. His first symptoms were a body temperature of 40 degrees C and right upper arm pain. Five days after the onset, he was brought to our institution. His shoulder was swollen and erythematous. Yellowish fluid (7 ml) was aspirated from his shoulder joint; the causative organism was group A Streptococcus. On admission, arthroscopic surgery was performed. His temperature gradually decreased, and inflammatory markers including the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level improved. At his 1-year follow-up there was no sign of infection, and a full range of motion in the shoulder was maintained. The interval between the onset and the start of treatment is an important factor affecting the prognosis. The patient was brought to our institution 5 days after onset and underwent arthroscopic surgery on the same day. This early treatment was one of the factors that contributed to a successful result. Arthroscopic surgery, including irrigation and debridement, may be one of the options for treating septic arthritis of an infant's shoulder.
