How common is inability to bear weight in septic arthritis?

Septic arthritis is an infection inside a joint. Inflammation, swelling and pain can make moving the joint or loading the limb extremely difficult. A person may avoid standing, walking or using the affected arm. The symptom can occur in a knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, wrist or another joint. Its presence describes how the joint is functioning; it does not identify the cause on its own. Other urgent joint problems can produce similar disability, so an examination is needed.

If you cannot bear weight because of sudden joint pain and swelling, arrange same-day medical assessment. Keep the joint rested in a comfortable position and avoid forcing movement or walking on it. Tell the clinician when the pain began, whether you have fever or chills, and whether there was a recent wound, injection, operation or illness. They may assess the joint and recommend tests to determine whether infection is present.

Seek emergency care if inability to bear weight is accompanied by fever, shaking chills, confusion, faintness, rapidly increasing swelling, or a joint that is very painful with even gentle movement. Infection can damage the joint and may spread beyond it, so do not wait for the symptom to settle when these warning signs occur.

Ask: Could this be an infection inside the joint? Which tests will distinguish infection from another cause of acute pain? Should I keep weight completely off the limb, and what changes should prompt immediate return?