Do plain radiographs play a role in diagnosing septic arthritis?
Initial radiographs should be obtained to rule out adjacent osteomyelitis and to establish a baseline. Early radiographic changes occurring within a few days include periarticular osteopenia, joint effusion, and soft tissue swelling. However, definitive changes of septic arthritis may take up to 2 to 3 weeks to develop and include periosteal reaction, joint space loss, erosions, and subchondral bone destruction.
