Septic Arthritis Diagnosis Criteria

Septic arthritis is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests. Key procedures include arthrocentesis to analyze joint fluid, blood tests to check for infection, and physical examination to assess joint swelling and pain.

According to the Kocher criteria, a fever higher than 101.3°F (38.5°C), an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) above 40 millimeters per hour (mm/hour), a white blood cell (WBC) counts greater than 12,000 cells/mm3, and an inability to bear weight on the affected side are key indicators.

The gold standard for diagnosing septic arthritis is the analysis of synovial fluid obtained through arthrocentesis. This procedure allows for the identification of pathogens and the assessment of joint inflammation and infection.