Abstract
Septic arthritis of the wrist in pediatric patients is a rare diagnosis and is not well described in the literature. We present a case of a 4-month old patient with monoarticular septic arthritis of the wrist treated with surgical drainage and antibiotics. Although a rare diagnosis, septic arthritis of the wrist should be considered in patients with pseudoparalysis of the upper extremity and systemic signs of inflammation. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical to prevent permanent damage to the joint. Further data is needed to describe the epidemiology, microbiology, diagnostic findings and treatment of septic arthritis of the pediatric wrist.
Highlights
Septic arthritis of the wrist in the pediatric population is a rare diagnosis
Acute septic arthritis in a pediatric patient can present in a variety of ways, which can make diagnosis difficult
We present a case of a 4-month old with monoarticular septic arthritis of the wrist treated with open surgical drainage and antibiotics
Summary
Septic arthritis of the wrist in the pediatric population is a rare diagnosis. To our knowledge, there are only three case reports of septic arthritis of the pediatric wrist [1,2,3]. We present a case of a 4-month old with monoarticular septic arthritis of the wrist treated with open surgical drainage and antibiotics. The case was discussed with the patient’s parents and consent was obtained for aspiration of the right wrist with potential irrigation and debridement (I&D). He was taken to the operating room and placed under general anesthesia. Follow-up at one and two years after discharge confirmed no limitations of the right upper extremity with X-ray confirmation of a well-healed wrist joint with open growth plates and no bony abnormalities (Figure 2)
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