Septic Arthritis, Septic Bursitis, and Osteomyelitis

Infections of joints and bones are important causes of morbidity due to the potential for permanent injury to structures necessary for mechanical support and useful motion. The spectrum of disease is broad, with host factors, pathogen, site of infection, and comorbidities all influencing outcome. In some cases of bone infection, cure may not be possible, and the therapeutic goal becomes control. This review details the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of septic arthritis, septic bursitis, vertebral body osteomyelitis, pedal osteomyelitis in association with diabetes, and chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis with union or malunion. This review contains 13 highly rendered figures, 16 tables, and 192 references.