What Is Gonococcal Arthritis?

Gonorrhea arthritis is a special type of acute arthritis and is caused by sexually transmitted gonococcus. Sexually transmitted infections of gonorrhea In the acute or subacute onset of 2-3 weeks, gonococci can reach the joints through bloodstream infections, causing joint disease. The prevalence of the knee joint is highest, followed by the foot, hand and elbow joints, which are mostly single joints.

Basic Information

Visiting department

Infectious Diseases

Common locations

Knee, foot, hand joint, elbow joint

Common causes

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Common symptoms

High chills, swelling and pain in local joints, etc.

Causes of gonorrhea arthritis

The human body is infected with N. gonorrhoeae, and disseminated N. gonorrhoeae infection causes arthritis.

Clinical manifestations of gonorrhea arthritis

Neisseria gonorrhoea arthritis is mostly acute, manifested by the sudden appearance of chills and high fever, body temperature is usually around 39 ° C, and local joint swelling and pain. A small number of patients may have only prodromal symptoms similar to colds, sore joints and muscle aches, and then joint pain and swelling. Most patients begin to show multiple joint involvement, and over time, most joint symptoms disappear on their own, but symptoms are limited to one joint or 2 to 3 joints in individual patients. The affected joint has severe pain. Even slight movements can cause severe pain. In mild cases, there is no fever, only joint tenderness, or joint edema is the main cause, the pain is mild, and chronic cases are rare.

Gonorrhea arthritis test

Laboratory inspection

(1) Neisseria gonorrhoeae can be found in the joint cavity puncture solution.

(2) Serum and synovial fluid were positive in gonococcal complement binding test .

2. Other auxiliary inspections

Unlike septic arthritis, bone atrophy can be seen on X-rays during acute onset. In the stage of progressive ankylosis of the joint, irregular cotton wool-like shadows on the joint surface can be seen on the X-ray. As the disease progresses, the shadows become thinner and the amount increases, and finally the bony connection between the two articular surfaces occurs. When bone proliferation stops, the boundaries of new bone are still clearly discernible. In patients who do not have ankylosing, early in the disease, the joint boundaries are clear and there is no cotton-like bone proliferation. This different manifestation of radiology can help judge the prognosis of the joint, and it is also an indicator for selecting indications for the treatment of bone rigidity.

Gonorrhea Arthritis Diagnosis

The diagnosis of gonococcal arthritis should be based on a comprehensive analysis of typical clinical manifestations, positive results of bacterial culture in the urogenital system or other parts. Neisseria gonorrhoea arthritis should be considered in the following cases.

1. Highly swollen joints, severe pain, and fever, but the body temperature is lower than general septic arthritis, at about 39 ° C.

2. Acute onset, chronic process.

3. Suffering from urethral or cervical canal gonorrhea.

4. Gonococcus can be detected in the joint puncture solution.

5. The affected joints have a tendency to become rigid.

6. Neisseria gonorrhoeae complement binding test, serum and joint exudate were almost 100% positive.

Gonorrhea Arthritis Treatment

Antibiotic

Penicillin-type antibiotics, such as penicillin, are usually administered intravenously daily. The earlier the treatment begins, the better. The temperature of most patients gradually returns to normal within 24 to 48 hours, and joint pain and swelling will improve within a few days. This may be related to the absence of a large amount of purulent exudate in the joint.

2. Prevention and treatment of deformities

Neisseria gonorrhoea arthritis has the possibility of bone rigidity, so during the treatment process, traction and external fixation must be used to maintain the joint in a functional position.

3. Arthroplasty

For patients with ankylosing of the hip, knee, and elbow joints, arthroplasty and artificial joint replacement are usually performed about 1 year after the inflammation subsides. Gives joints support and movement.