RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Review of septic arthritis throughout the antibiotic era. JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO Ann Rheum Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism SP 198 OP 205 DO 10.1136/ard.35.3.198 VO 35 IS 3 A1 J H Newman YR 1976 UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/35/3/198.abstract AB 134 patients with septic arthritis who have been treated at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre during a 30-year period have been reviewed. There has been little change in the overall incidence during the last 20 years, but recently the disease has become more common among the elderly and patients tend to be less ill on presentation. The problems and necessity of rapidly establishing a diagnosis are stressed. Overall, 70% attained a good result though infection in infants' hips and all joints in the elderly carried a poor prognosis. Once a good result was achieved the joint did not deteriorate with the passage of time.