Infectious Arthritis Treatment

For people with infectious arthritis, treatment can often cure the condition. Treatment options for infectious arthritis may differ depending on what's causing the condition (as well as other factors) and can involve medications, such as antibiotics or antifungal medications. Other forms of infectious arthritis treatment include joint drainage, surgery, and splinting and rest.

 

An Overview of Infectious Arthritis Treatment

Infectious arthritis is not a long-term condition. With treatment, infectious arthritis can be cured.
 
There are several different causes of infectious arthritis. Treatment will vary depending on the specific cause of the infectious arthritis. Treatment options may include any of the following:
 
  • Medications
  • Joint drainage
  • Surgery
  • Splinting and rest.
     
For some types of infectious arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent permanent joint damage.
 

Medications Used to Treat Infectious Arthritis

The specific medications healthcare providers recommend for the treatment of infectious arthritis will depend on the results of the synovial fluid analysis (see Diagnosing Infectious Arthritis).
 
If the healthcare provider suspects septic arthritis, Lyme arthritis, tuberculosis arthritis, or gonococcal arthritis, he or she will probably prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics may be given initially though an IV. After a period of time, the healthcare provider may switch the patient to antibiotics taken by mouth. The length of treatment with antibiotics will depend on the specific cause of infectious arthritis. Streptococcal arthritis can usually be cured with 10 to 14 days of treatment with antibiotics. Other types of bacteria may require three to six weeks of treatment.
 
Doctors treat cases of fungal arthritis with antifungal medication. Viral arthritis typically does not require any treatment.
 
(Infectious Arthritis Treatment Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD