Hematogenous Septic Arthritis of the Hip in Extensive Burn

ABSTRACT

In the patient with extensive burn injury, the occult site of infection such as septic arthritis is easy to be overlooked because a painful hip joint may be confused for painful burn wounds around pelvic area. We describe a extensive burned young adult who experienced a septic hip joint with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia A 22 year old male who had full thickness burns of whole body (90%) presented with fever, groin pain, and immobility of right hip joint about 3 months after injury. The physical findings, radiographic findings and bone scan were diagnostic for a septic arthritis. Septic arthritis in the extensive burns may be misdiagnosed for painful burn wounds. Hematogenous septic hip arthritis by sustained bacteremia is rare, but clinical examination combined with appropriate laboratory and radiographic studies can lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment.