Bilateral Knee Septic Arthritis after Prostatic Urethral Lift: A Case Report

Septic arthritis (SA) is a rare clinical entity that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Recent years have seen a rise in minimally invasive surgical therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, including prostatic urethral lift. We report a case of bilateral simultaneous SA of the knees, following a prostatic urethral lift procedure. SA following a urologic procedure has not previously been reported.

A 79-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department through an ambulance with bilateral knee pain with associated fever and chills. Two weeks before presentation, he had undergone a prostatic urethral lift, cystoscopy, and Foley catheter placement. The examination was remarkable for bilateral knee effusions. Arthrocentesis was performed, and the synovial fluid analysis was consistent with a diagnosis of SA.

This case emphasizes the need for frontline clinicians to consider SA in patients presenting with joint pain as a rare complication of prostatic instrumentation.