An Overview of Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis is a painful infection in a joint. The infection can come from germs that travel through your bloodstream from another part of your body. Septic arthritis can also occur when a penetrating injury delivers germs directly into the joint. Children with septic arthritis generally present with an acute onset of joint pain limited movement and fever. ... In subcutaneous joints such as the knee or ankle signs of an effusion including swelling and warmth may be noted. Clinical detection of an effusion in the hip or shoulder is not possible.