Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie
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Septic arthritis has always been a challenge to rheumatologists and surgeons. Treatment according to the current classification needs to be stage-adapted and has to be initiated rapidly as the time factor constitutes the key prognostic criterion. Failure to treat and late treatment initiation result in irreversible joint damage, functional impairment and increasing mortality. ⋯ Surgical radicality in removing the infected tissue is of high importance. Local and systemic antibiotic treatment is of adjuvant and supportive value. An intensive physical therapy should be initiated early to avoid functional deficits.