Childhood Osteomyelitis with Septic Arthritis - A Case Report and Review of Literature

A 4 year old girl presented with pathological fracture of right shaft femur with ipsilateral septic arthritis and epiphyseal separation of the head of femur. Pathophysiology, radiological findings, management and coexistence of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis with review literature is presented. Worst prognosis is seen in older children, due to delay in diagnosis or in neglected cases. Because of the devastating sequels on immature skeleton including limb shortening, osteomyelitis, destruction of joint surface, epiphyseal separation of proximal epiphysis, and pathologic fracture of shaft femur, the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment cannot be overemphasized.