Septic arthritis, also known as
infectious arthritis or
joint infection, is the
purulent invasion of a
joint by an
infectious agent which produces
arthritis. People with
artificial joints are more at risk than the general population but have slightly different symptoms, are infected with different organisms and require different treatment. Septic arthritis is considered a medical emergency. If untreated, it may destroy the joint in a period of days. The infection may also spread to other parts of the body.