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Septic arthritis of adult hip treated by total hip replacement--a case report
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Provincial Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Insights
Septic arthritis, a joint infection, can affect adults, particularly in the hip. This case study highlights successful treatment of Staphylococcus aureus hip infection with surgery and joint replacement.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Case Study
Background:
- Septic arthritis commonly affects children but can occur in adults, especially those with compromised health.
- While knee joints are most frequently involved, hip joint septic arthritis is less common but can be severe.
- Adult septic arthritis is often linked to systemic infections or localized trauma.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old patient presented with persistent hip pain and intermittent fevers over two months, suggestive of a challenging infection.
- Diagnostic hip aspiration yielded 60 ml of pus, and bacterial culture identified Staphylococcus aureus as the causative agent.
Findings:
- Surgical hip arthrotomy with extensive debridement was performed to address the deep-seated infection.
- The patient underwent total hip replacement 18 months post-initial surgery, achieving a favorable long-term outcome.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering septic arthritis in adults presenting with prolonged hip pain and systemic symptoms.
- Aggressive surgical management, including debridement and eventual joint replacement, can lead to successful eradication of Staphylococcus aureus hip infections and restoration of function.
Abstract:
Septic arthritis is usually seen in children as an acute febrile illness induced by septicemia, local inoculation of a joint caused by trauma or adjacent osteomyelitis. It also occurs in adults particulary those with debilitating disease or sepsis at other sites. It normally happens in knee joints, but rarely in hip joints. A 65-year-old patient suffered from hip pain and febrile episodes intermittently for two months. Diagnostic hip aspiration was performed with 60 ml pus drained. The aspirate grew Staphylococcus aureus. Hip arthrotomy was performed with extensive debridement. Eighteen months later, this patient received total hip replacement and he has remained well for 8 years, with no evidence of infection or of implants loosening.