What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are difficult to detect in a young baby as they do not give rise to bodily symptoms for e.g. fever. If body does not react to the infection, there may be no fever and the absence of fever may mislead doctors.
The child may be irritable or cranky. The child cry when handled moved or when nappies are changed.
There may be swelling of the joint depending on the stage of the infection. Also, the child may be reluctant to move the affected extremity (also called pseudoparalysis).
Septic Arthritis can always be suspected but never confirmed on clinical grounds. Doctors have to be very vigilant to suspect the condition.

What does your doctor do?
After clinically examining the patient, the doctor shall investigate the child. He may do some blood tests and X-RAY of the affected extremity. If there is an element of doubt, further investigations like Radioisotope scan, MRI may be done. On suspicion, aspiration of the joint may be done to check for pus. If pus is present it is sent for further testing namely- organism detection and drug sensitivity.

Is aspiration of the joint required?
Aspiration of the joint is both diagnostic and therapeutic. It works very well for superficial joints and in early stages of infection deep-seated joints e.g. hip joint. Surgery is more effective especially if pus is thick . If it is managed by aspiration, then a repeat aspiration may be required depending on the clinical sign and symptoms.

Microarthroscopy is a procedure by which a wash to the joint is given and the joint is visualized . It is usually done for knee joint. Surgery is the process by which pus is drained and if bone is infected, it is cleaned off.

How long does my child need to take antibiotics either intravenously/ orally?
For how long should the child be on an antibiotic is controversial. Intravenous antibiotics are usually given till both signs & symptoms resolve, usually for 1-2 weeks. By convention 2-4 weeks of oral Antibiotics are required for a full cure.

Will my child’s joint have to be splinted/ rested and for how long?
In uncomplicated cases, the joint is splinted for a few days. When child starts moving extremely actively, the splint or the support may be removed.

Is physiotherapy required for the joint and when?
Physiotherapy is not required until complications occur.