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OBJECTIVES: Septic arthritis of native hip joints is an uncommon condition in adults in Western Europe, but continues to present a challenge to medical and surgical management. We set out to study the natural history and bacteriology of the disease in this group, with a particular focus on patients requiring excision arthroplasty (EA). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 26 secondary referral cases (20 adults) managed by a specialist bone infection unit over a 12 year period. RESULTS: Our patient cohort was diverse, affecting all age groups in the presence and absence of co-morbid conditions. The commonest pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. Of 20 adults studied, five (25%) required EA. Symptom duration prior to presentation was a statistical predictor of the requirement for EA (p<0.003); in particular, symptom duration of over three weeks was strongly associated with requirement for this procedure (p<0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: In cases that present promptly, combined surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotics should be expected to eradicate infection and to salvage the femoral head. Cases presenting following a delay are more likely to require EA and subsequent hip reconstruction.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jinf.2008.07.001

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Infect

Publication Date

09/2008

Volume

57

Pages

185 - 190

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Arthritis, Infectious, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Child, Child, Preschool, Europe, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Osteoarthritis, Hip, Prognosis, Retrospective Studies, Staphylococcus aureus, Time Factors