Septic Arthritis |
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Another disease of joints that I must mention, if only to emphasize that it is different from "rheumatism" is infection resulting in a septic joint. Events move fast in infection, as in gout. The joint that is painful today is going to be worse tomorrow rather than not until next week. It soon becomes hot and tender to the touch and the skin over it becomes puffy and red, The damage done can be very serious: if you have any suspicion that you have a septic joint you should see a doctor soon. The whole sequence of events is the same as that in a severe boil and the treatment is the same --- rest, warmth applied to it and an antibiotic to kill the germs that are at work. Fortunately, septic joints are rare.
There are also a few unusual conditions in which fluid accumulates in joints, apart from injury, wear and tear. These are not painful unless there is a great deal of fluid; they are therefore unlikely to confused with rheumatism and need not be discussed further. |
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