Unusual case of adult onset proximal tibia gram negative osteomyelitis presenting as septic arthritis knee: A Case report

Abstract

Case: A 58-year-old male patient came walking to casualty with the sole complaint of proximal tibia bone pain of one week duration. The patient was treated symptomatically after proper evaluation. One week later the patient presented with features of septic arthritis and was treated with arthrotomy and lavage. Non resolution of symptoms lead to a repeat surgery which identified acute osteomyelitis which had progressed to septic arthritis. This was inferred retrospectively considering the evolution of the patient’s symptoms. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion should be kept in mind regarding the possibility of adjacent osteomyelitis in patients presenting with septic arthritis.