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A diagnosis of septic arthritis means the joint was infected. Usually the infection starts somewhere else and travels to the joint. Most likely the bacteria is transported via the blood stream.
Only about one-quarter of the patients diagnosed with septic arthritis report a history of trauma or injury. Most of these patients recall an incident within the last month that could be considered an injury leading to septic arthritis.
Infection from other problems such as tuberculosis or gonorrhea can also cause septic arthritis. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. It is the most common cause of septic arthritis in young adults (under the age of 30).
In some cases, the infectious cause of septic arthritis remains unknown. Other patients report a history of an insult such as a human bite, arthroscopy, or recent joint replacement.
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