Prognosis
Delayed or inadequate treatment can lead to irreversible joint destruction and subsequent disability.
One large retrospective study established a 90-day mortality rate of 7% for patients with septic arthritis of the knee requiring arthroscopic drainage, rising to 23% for people at or over the age of 80 years.[38]
A survey in the UK revealed that certain factors might be associated with a poor prognosis including older age, preexisting joint disease, and the presence of a joint prosthesis.[39]
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