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The Acutely Swollen Joint The Limping or non-weight bearing Child Upper limb non-use
Osteomyelitis and septic arthritis can affect any joint or bone, but most commonly involve the lower limbs. Both are most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus but can be caused by group A b -haemolytic streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae. Children with sickle cell anaemia are prone to infection by salmonellae.
There is considerable overlap in the presentation of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis
NB Consultation and treatment should not be delayed while waiting for a bone scan