Bilateral shoulder septic arthritis in a fit and well 47-year-old man

Bilateral septic arthritis of the shoulder is uncommon in the immunocompetent patient with no previous risk factors for joint infection, and is thus easily missed. Septic arthritis is associated with significant rates of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and management is the key to a favourable outcome; septic arthritis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the unwell patient presenting with shoulder pain and reduced range of joint movement. We present a case of a 47-year-old previously fit and well man with bilateral shoulder septic arthritis. We will also review the current literature on management and long-term outcomes of patients with septic arthritis of the glenohumeral joint.