2.3. Treatment principles
Septic arthritis is a therapeutic emergency, whether it affects
a native non-operated joint or occurs after arthroscopy. The
treatment must combine abundant arthroscopic lavage, with synovectomy
as indicated by the stage of the infection [7], and the
concomitant administration of two effective antibiotics for at least
6 weeks. There is increasing agreement that implants and transplants
can be left in place [8,9]. Repeated arthroscopic lavage
is a component of the treatment strategy that should be implemented
whenever an unfavourable postoperative event occurs
(e.g., persistent fever, painful effusion, laboratory signs of systemic
inflammation, or positive drainage fluids), in order to ensure a full
recovery