Presentation • Pain • fever Sign • Erythema • Effusion • Warm and tender • Inability to bera weight • Inability to bear weight • Extremity tends to be in position of maximum joint volume – Eg hip in FABER position (flexed, abduction, external rotation) Investigation • Increased TW, ESR and CRP • Joint fluid sample – Appearance: cloudy/purulent – Cell count and differential : WC > 50000 – Gram stain – Culture – Glucose level: <60% of serum level Treatment • Operative: drainage of joint • IV antibiotic – organism specific antibiotic therapy • ESR, CRP and white cell monitoring