A clinical decision tool for septic arthritis in children based on epidemiologic data of atraumatic swollen painful joints in South Africa

ConclusionsDespite insignificant differences in their clinical presentation compared with non-infectious arthidities, 15% of children were diagnosed with tissue-confirmed TB infection. Predictive values of clinical criteria are reduced in our population due to elevated levels of inflammatory markers in all patients. Synovial biopsy to rule out TB is recommended in all patients in a high-burden setting given clinical similarity to non-infectious aetiologies.
Source: International Orthopaedics - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research