[Septic arthritis in intravenous drug abuse]

Septic arthritis (SA) in intravenous abusers is reviewed in the English literature from 1966-1992 with the purpose of registration of the bacteriological development, localization of the infected joints, clinical information and laboratory data. Eighty-three publications are available for the review. We have registered 270 joint infections caused by 264 bacteria in 257 intravenous drug abusers with SA. Since 1985 there has been a change in joint localization and bacteriology. A possible explanation is considered. Diagnosis and treatment is difficult, because of the unstable life-style and frequent compliance problems in intravenous drug abusers. SA should be considered in patients with known intravenous drug abuse, uncharacteristic pain and symptoms of osteoarticular infection. SA is often accompanied by fever, leucocytosis and elevated sedimentation rate. Bacteriological diagnosis is achieved by joint aspiration and/or blood culture. Tc-99m-MDP-(technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate)-bone scintigraphy should be performed on joints suspected of infection which are difficult to aspirate. With adequate antibiotic treatment the prognosis is good, and the mortality is insignificant.