Treatment of septic arthritis in children

Treatment of septic arthritis is an emergency; therefore antibiotherapy must be started rapidly following the bacteriological sampling. The risk for the articles justifies that treatment be started with two antibiotics given intravenously, the choice of the antibiotics being dependent upon the clinical history. If the bacteria is isolated, an adaptated monotherapy is then maintained. A drainage of the joint can be performed by needle aspiration or by a percutaneous catheter, and in case of difficulty to control the sepsis, by surgical debridment. Intravenous antibiotherapy is maintained for 7 to 15 days. Whenever a good response is observed the treatment is continued orally for a total duration of 4 to 6 weeks.