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Antibiotic Therapy of Septic Bursitis: Its Implication in the Treatment of Septic Arthritis
Full Title
Antibiotic therapy of septic bursitis. Its implication in the treatment of septic arthritis
Summary
This prospective study investigated the clinical course of septic bursitis (primarily olecranon, prepatellar, and infrapatellar bursae) treated with antibiotics and serial needle aspiration. Among 25 patients, those who received treatment within 2 weeks of symptom onset achieved culture sterility in about 1 week. Longer delays led to prolonged infection despite adequate therapy. All 19 patients who received 5 additional days of antibiotics after confirmed sterility were cured. The study confirms that infection of the bursa itself is a direct and treatable cause of bursitis, and that early intervention is essential to avoid prolonged inflammation. The findings have broader implications for managing bacterial infections in other joint-related structures.