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Outcomes of paediatric septic arthritis of the hip and knee at 1–20 years in an Australian urban centre
Author(s) -
Hoswell Roseanna L.,
Johns Brenton P.,
Loewenthal Mark R.,
Dewar David C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.15139
Subject(s) - medicine , septic arthritis , radiological weapon , arthritis , knee arthritis , surgery , knee joint , osteoarthritis , alternative medicine , pathology
Background Septic arthritis in children is a joint threatening condition with potentially severe consequences; however, long‐term outcome data is lacking. This study aims to determine 1–20‐year outcomes following septic arthritis of hip and knee joints in children in an Australian population. Methods All paediatric patients with septic arthritis of the hip or knee from 1995 to 2015 treated at our Australian institution were retrospectively assessed. Clinical features, treatment and investigation results were recorded. Long‐term functional and radiological outcomes, infection recurrence and reoperation rate at final follow‐up (mean 8.5 years, range 1.0–20.3; hip versus mean 7.7 years, range 1.1–20.3; knee) were recorded. Results Sixty‐four patients (37 hip, 27 knee) met inclusion criteria. Fifty‐two patients (81.3%) attended follow‐up. No mortalities or late infection recurrence occurred. Three patients (1; hip versus 2; knee) had a later operation. Median Oxford scores were excellent (48; hip versus 48; knee); however, a significant proportion had a degree of impaired function (31.3%; hip versus 42.1%; knee). Radiological outcomes were excellent in knees more commonly than hips (81.3%; hip versus 100%; knee). Conclusions Outcomes at 1–20 years for the majority of patients following septic arthritis of the hip and knee are excellent with early joint irrigation and intravenous antibiotics. Our results demonstrate a significant proportion of patients following septic hip arthritis have mild to moderately poor functional and radiological outcomes. Those with septic knee arthritis demonstrated universally excellent radiological outcomes and mild functional impairment in approximately one‐third of cases.