Spontaneous Septic Monoarthritis of the Scaphoidtrapezium Joint Presenting as Septicaemia and Death in an Elderly Female: A Case Report

Primary involvement of carpal bones in septic arthritis is a rare event. We report here a case of idiopathic septic arthritis with isolated involvement of the scaphoid-trapezium joint. An elderly patient presented with collapse and symptoms of septicaemia, and right wrist that was swollen and tender. Radiographs revealed erosion of the scaphoid-trapezium joint and increased joint space. The joint was aspirated yielding frank pus. Swelling and redness improved, but the patient died due to ongoing septicaemia. Localised septic arthritis of the scaphoid-trapezium joint, however rare, can be fatal if not aggressively treated in a timely fashion.