[Septic arthritis after intra-articular injection is rare: does the Taskforce Infection Prevention use a sledgehammer...

To determine the incidence of septic arthritis (SA) after a joint puncture and reconsider the value of the hygiene measures stipulated by the Taskforce Infection Prevention (TIF).

Prospective study.

We determined the number of joint punctures among general practitioners and specialists in the Apeldoorn area during a three-month period (from October 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013). Secondly, we performed an analysis on the incidence of SAs in this period and the subsequent month, and ascertained if these were related to a joint puncture. Finally, we conducted a retrospective analysis on joint puncture related SA during the period January 2008 - December 2013. This was executed to determine whether our results were representative.

The incidence of SA after a joint puncture was 1 in 27,000.

The incidence of SA after a joint puncture can be considered low. Due to the low baseline incidence, we anticipate that it is unlikely that the prescriptive measures outlined by TIF will lead to a cost-effective reduction in incidence of SA.