Approach to patients with suspected septic arthritis and positive synovial fluid Gram stain

This algorithm summarizes an approach to evaluation and management of patients with suspected septic arthritis and positive synovial fluid Gram stain. Issues related to septic arthritis associated with animal bites are discussed separately (refer to UpToDate topic on animal bites), as are issues related to septic bursitis (refer to UpToDate topic on septic bursitis).