[Septic polyarthritis: treatment complications and results].

OBJECTIVE

The rare polyarticular clinical presentation of peripheric septic arthritis has worst prognosis than monoarticular one. We studied 10 patients with polyarticular septic arthritis treated during the last 8 years, to evaluate functional result and complications after surgical treatment.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We studied 5 men and 5 women, with an average age of 46.5 years (range 18-75 years), they presented septic arthritis in two or more joints. We discuss aetiology, clinical presentation and treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment was surgical debridement and parenteral antibiotic therapy. Functional result was poor in 54% of the joints treated, 50% of patients presented septic shock and three died.