Gonococcal septic arthritis of the hip

We describe a patient with a Neisseria gonorrhoeae monoarthritis of the hip. Treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone, oral doxycycline, and repeated fluoroscopic needle aspirations resulted in a complete recovery of function without residual deficit. Gonococcal monoarthritis of the hip is rare. Gonococcal hip infections appear to respond well to antibiotics and drainage by arthrocentesis. This differs from hip infections caused by other bacteria where joint damage is common and where the recommended initial treatment is open surgical drainage.