Infections

Joint infections pose a serious threat to your health and can be devastating when they affect a joint replacement. They’re also incredibly challenging to treat without the expertise of a joint infection specialist like Richard Buch, MD, of The Dallas Limb Restoration Center. Dr. Buch works closely with a multidisciplinary team to treat, salvage, and reconstruct the most complex infections. You should never wait to seek treatment for an infection because complications can develop. Call the office in Carrollton, Texas, or request an appointment online today.

What are the most common joint infections?

The joint experts at The Dallas Limb Restoration Center treat many infections, including the following:

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that usually affects the legs but can develop in your arms and other body areas. Severe cellulitis infections spread to your blood, causing bone and joint infections like septic arthritis.

Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is an infection that often develops in the knees, hips, and ankles, causing inflammation in the joint tissues and synovial fluid.

Viruses and fungi may cause septic arthritis. However, it typically begins when a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body spreads to the joint.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis develops when a bacterial or fungal infection spreads through your bloodstream to the bones and joints. Your risk for osteomyelitis rises if you suffer a trauma or have a joint replacement. Without treatment, this condition turns into a chronic infection.

Septic bursitis

Bursitis is a painful but harmless condition caused by inflammation in the small cushions (bursa) between soft tissues and bones, such as joint tendons and bones. Septic bursitis develops when the fluid in the sac becomes infected.

Infectious tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis occurs when the sheath surrounding a tendon becomes inflamed, making the joint stiff and painful. If tenosynovitis is caused by an infection (infectious tenosynovitis), it can spread to the joint.

Pyomyositis

This infection strikes muscles but can cause arthritis and often mimics septic arthritis.

What is a joint replacement infection?

Joint replacement infections are rare, affecting about 1% of patients. They occur when bacteria enter your body through a cut or injury and travel to the joint.

When the infection is limited to the skin above the joint, antibiotics may be enough to treat the problem. However, an infection that reaches the joint requires surgery.

If you have an early infection, your provider may surgically clean the joint and preserve the prosthesis. But most joint replacement infections need more complex surgery.

The surgical procedure involves removing the joint implant, cleaning away the infected tissues, and implanting an antibiotic spacer. After eliminating all the bacteria, your provider removes the spacer and can implant a new joint.

What symptoms does a joint infection cause?

Joint infections cause:

• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Swelling and redness
• High heart rate
• Warm skin over the joint

Seeking treatment at the first sign of an infection is essential for preventing progressive complications. 

Call The Dallas Limb Restoration Center or book an appointment online today to receive exceptional treatment for joint infections.