Septic Arthritis/Osteomyelitis

Micro Organisms

Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes

Duration

Discuss treatment duration and oral switch with infection specialist

Notes

Important: Therapy

  • Send blood and if appropriate bone/joint fluid for culture
  • MRSA should be considered if the patient has been in hospital within the last 6 months
  • Septic arthritis - refer to orthopaedics for emergency drainage prior to initiation of antibiotics where possible
  • If recurrent - consider immune deficiency and testing for HIV

Septic Arthritis/Osteomyelitis - 1st Line

Important: Therapy

IV Flucloxacillin 2g 6 hourly initially

+/- IV/Oral Rifampicin 300-600mg 12 hourly

Add rifampicin for prosthetic joints after consultation with specialist

 

Septic Arthritis/Osteomyelitis - If penicillin allergy or MRSA likely

Important: Therapy

Vancomycin IV as per guideline

Use preferred calculator on Hospital portals page [intranet access only] or app for intermittent dosing