Septic arthritis is an inflammation of a joint caused by a bacteria infection other than gonorrhea. Septic arthritis develops when bacteria spreads through the bloodstream to a joint. It may also occur when the joint is directly infected with bacteria during injury or surgery.
Acute septic arthritis tends to be caused by organisms such as staphylococcus, streptococcus pneumoniae and group B streptococcus.
Chronic septic arthritis (which occurs less frequently) is caused by organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans. The knee and the hip are the most commonly infected joints.
