Septic arthritis in sickle cell disease

Septic arthritis is infection within a joint. It may cause sudden joint pain, swelling, warmth, reduced movement, and fever, although the pattern varies. Sickle cell disease can also cause severe bone or joint pain, so an infection cannot be safely excluded by assuming the pain is a usual sickle-related episode.

A clinician may examine the joint, check blood tests, and sometimes take a sample of joint fluid. Tell the team about the person's usual pain pattern, recent infections, medicines, and any history of joint problems. Read about [Sickle Cell Disease](/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/) and [Joint Pain](/symptoms/joint-pain/).

Seek urgent medical assessment for a new painful, swollen, or hot joint, especially with fever, chills, or feeling markedly unwell. Do not massage the joint or delay care while waiting for pain medicine to work. Continue the person's established sickle-cell plan unless the treating team advises otherwise, and tell clinicians what has already been taken.

Assessment may include a [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/), imaging, and joint-fluid testing. If infection is suspected, hospital treatment can include antibiotics and drainage of infected fluid.

Go to an emergency department for severe or rapidly worsening joint pain, inability to move the joint, fever with shaking chills, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, or a person who looks very unwell. Sickle cell disease itself increases the need for timely evaluation of new symptoms.

Ask how infection will be distinguished from a sickle pain episode, whether joint fluid needs testing, which pain relief is safe, and what changes should trigger immediate return to hospital.