Syndrome:  Arthritis, septic

Primary Therapy(s):

  • (Cefazolin 2 gm IV q 8 hr or Nafcillin 2gm IV q 4-6 hr) +/- Gentamicin
  • Ceftriaxone 1 gm q 24 hr if gonorrhea is suspected

Alternate Therapy(s):

  • (Clindamycin or Vancomycin) +/- (Gentamicin, Aztreonam, or Ciprofloxacin)

Comments:

  • Acute, community acquired, non-prosthetic joint.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of this syndrome.
  • If MRSA is suspected, see MRSA algorithm-severe.



Guideline Index         Guideline Table  

2nd generation cephalosporins--Cefuroxime, Cefpodoxime
Respiratory quionlones--Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin