Septic arthritis is defined as?

Septic arthritis is defined as?

• A. Inflammation of a joint caused by bacterial infection
• B. Inflammation of a joint due to autoimmune disease
• C. Inflammation of a tendon sheath
• D. Inflammation of bone marrow

Answer: (A)

Septic arthritis means infection inside a joint space that causes inflammation. The defining feature is that bacteria invade the joint, leading to rapid swelling, warmth, severe pain with movement, and often fever. This distinguishes it from autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, which is immune-driven rather than infectious; and from other conditions like tenosynovitis (inflammation around a tendon sheath) or osteomyelitis (infection in the bone). The core idea is infection of the joint itself by bacteria, not sterile inflammation or inflammation of surrounding structures.

Septic arthritis means infection inside a joint space that causes inflammation. The defining feature is that bacteria invade the joint, leading to rapid swelling, warmth, severe pain with movement, and often fever. This distinguishes it from autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, which is immune-driven rather than infectious; and from other conditions like tenosynovitis (inflammation around a tendon sheath) or osteomyelitis (infection in the bone). The core idea is infection of the joint itself by bacteria, not sterile inflammation or inflammation of surrounding structures.