How does septic arthritis damage a joint?

Septic arthritis damages a joint primarily through the formation of pus in response to a bacterial infection. This accumulation of pus leads to the rapid erosion of articular cartilages.12

Because articular cartilages possess almost no capacity for regeneration, this erosive process can result in permanent joint damage if medical treatment is delayed. The infection, which often enters the joint space via the circulatory system, through penetrating trauma, or by extension from adjacent bone infections like osteomyelitis, triggers an acute inflammatory response characterized by swelling, heat, and soreness. Prompt intervention with antimicrobial therapy and joint drainage is essential to prevent marked destruction of the joint.123