Guideline for the management of the hot swollen joint in adults with a particular focus on septic arthritis

Abstract

The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) Standards, Guidelines and Audit Working Group, in conjunction with the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of General Practitioners and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology, has produced an evidence-based guideline for the management of the hot swollen joint with particular focus on the septic joint. The aim of the guideline is to help accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment when a joint is hot because of sepsis, while also ensuring that other causes such as crystal arthritis are recognized and not over-treated.