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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational use only. Not for diagnosis or management. See below for full disclaimer.
Septic arthritis โ FY quick guide โ ๏ธ ๐ฅ
โ ๏ธ ๐ฅ Septic arthritis
TIME-SENSITIVE โ assess severity and escalate if deteriorating.
๐ Recognise
Hot swollen joint with severe pain on movement, often fever but may be afebrile.
๐ First actions
Urgent orthopaedic/rheumatology assessment and joint aspiration where feasible before antibiotics if stable.
๐งช Investigate / reassess
Send synovial fluid culture/crystals; blood cultures and inflammatory markers.
โ ๏ธ Escalation / pitfalls
Crystals do not exclude concomitant infection.
Editorial status: Teaching draft, specialist review required; the entire topic has not undergone independent clinical sign-off. Follow your trust guidelines and senior advice. Not a standalone treatment protocol.