Isolated Septic Arthritis of the Hip Secondary to Fusobacterium necrophorum

Septic arthritis secondary to Fusobacterium necrophorum is rare and may be related to Lemierre syndrome which classically presents as pharyngitis in young adults, followed by a septicemic illness characterized by internal jugular vein thrombosis and metastatic infection. However, there were only 5 case reports of isolated septic arthritis caused by F. necrophorum in previous literature. The authors reviewed the literature and report a 24-year-old woman who delayed presentation to the emergency department and was eventually diagnosed with isolated septic arthritis of the hip caused by F. necrophorum. Her condition was complicated by severe sepsis and treated with aggressive resuscitation, vasopressor, antibiotics and an open arthrotomy with repeated drainage. Eventually, her hip bone was destroyed and she required a joint replacement.