Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report
Abstract Background Septic arthritis is a serious orthopedic emergency that can lead to irreversible chondrolysis and joint destruction if not treated promptly. Although Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen, atypical bacteria, especially injuries inflicted by animals, can cause severe s...
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05215-0 |
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| author | Florian C. Mackes Oskar-Marek Kwaczynski Michael T. Hirschmann Natalie Mengis |
| author_facet | Florian C. Mackes Oskar-Marek Kwaczynski Michael T. Hirschmann Natalie Mengis |
| author_sort | Florian C. Mackes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Septic arthritis is a serious orthopedic emergency that can lead to irreversible chondrolysis and joint destruction if not treated promptly. Although Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen, atypical bacteria, especially injuries inflicted by animals, can cause severe septic arthritis. Recognizing the risk of infection from even seemingly minor injuries during initial inspection is crucial to prevent fulminant septic arthritis. Diagnostic tools such as blood cultures and synovial fluid aspiration are key to identifying the causative bacteria and guiding antibiotic therapy. Case report A Swiss, 26 years old, woman got pecked by a rooster and suffered an injury to her right knee. The patient’s symptoms, blood analysis, and joint aspiration confirmed the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the knee. Empiric antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was started. Arthroscopic debridement and dilution was initiated. The arthroscopic view showed damage to the right medial femur condyle, which was overlooked by the medical staff during the patient’s initial examination. The patient recovered quickly and showed no more restrictions 6 weeks after trauma. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of recognizing the risk of infection, even from seemingly small injuries such as a rooster peck, to prevent fulminant septic arthritis. Further, this case demonstrates the importance of not underestimating a penetration wound by inspection only. Thorough clinical examination and wound exploration or saline load test can help to assess the depth of penetrating wounds. Nevertheless, rapid surgical and antibiotic treatment ensured a positive outcome for the patient in the case of this orthopedic emergency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a0cbb5b8b5c54aa8982c8472f5ce3fd5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-a0cbb5b8b5c54aa8982c8472f5ce3fd52025-08-20T04:03:01ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-07-011911710.1186/s13256-025-05215-0Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case reportFlorian C. Mackes0Oskar-Marek Kwaczynski1Michael T. Hirschmann2Natalie Mengis3Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Kantonsspital BasellandDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Kantonsspital BasellandDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Kantonsspital BasellandDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Kantonsspital BasellandAbstract Background Septic arthritis is a serious orthopedic emergency that can lead to irreversible chondrolysis and joint destruction if not treated promptly. Although Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen, atypical bacteria, especially injuries inflicted by animals, can cause severe septic arthritis. Recognizing the risk of infection from even seemingly minor injuries during initial inspection is crucial to prevent fulminant septic arthritis. Diagnostic tools such as blood cultures and synovial fluid aspiration are key to identifying the causative bacteria and guiding antibiotic therapy. Case report A Swiss, 26 years old, woman got pecked by a rooster and suffered an injury to her right knee. The patient’s symptoms, blood analysis, and joint aspiration confirmed the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the knee. Empiric antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was started. Arthroscopic debridement and dilution was initiated. The arthroscopic view showed damage to the right medial femur condyle, which was overlooked by the medical staff during the patient’s initial examination. The patient recovered quickly and showed no more restrictions 6 weeks after trauma. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of recognizing the risk of infection, even from seemingly small injuries such as a rooster peck, to prevent fulminant septic arthritis. Further, this case demonstrates the importance of not underestimating a penetration wound by inspection only. Thorough clinical examination and wound exploration or saline load test can help to assess the depth of penetrating wounds. Nevertheless, rapid surgical and antibiotic treatment ensured a positive outcome for the patient in the case of this orthopedic emergency.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05215-0Septic arthritisAtypical bacteriaAnimal injuryPenetrating woundArthroscopy |
| spellingShingle | Florian C. Mackes Oskar-Marek Kwaczynski Michael T. Hirschmann Natalie Mengis Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Septic arthritis Atypical bacteria Animal injury Penetrating wound Arthroscopy |
| title | Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report |
| title_full | Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report |
| title_short | Septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack: a case report |
| title_sort | septic arthritis of knee joint after rooster attack a case report |
| topic | Septic arthritis Atypical bacteria Animal injury Penetrating wound Arthroscopy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05215-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT floriancmackes septicarthritisofkneejointafterroosterattackacasereport AT oskarmarekkwaczynski septicarthritisofkneejointafterroosterattackacasereport AT michaelthirschmann septicarthritisofkneejointafterroosterattackacasereport AT nataliemengis septicarthritisofkneejointafterroosterattackacasereport |