31st May 2024

Management

Antibiotics, with or without surgical intervention, are the mainstay of management. Antibiotic choice is often based on the fact that the most common organisms are gram positive cocci such as staphylococcus spp. The below table demonstrates the common management regime for septic arthritis of a native joint or osteomyelitis/spondylodiscitis.

The management of prosthetic joint infection requires more timely joint washout and with consideration of removal of prosthesis.

Hyperglycaemia and hypertension should be addressed as per NICE targets and those with stage III or higher disease should be offered atorvastatin 20mg.  Patients should be advised to stop smoking and encouraged to lose excess body weight.