15 Common Causes And Risk Factors For Septic Arthritis

11. Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes impairs the immune response and slows the body’s ability to fight infections—making even minor wounds potentially dangerous. Elevated blood sugar also creates an environment where bacteria thrive. Diabetics often experience joint problems like Charcot joint or osteoarthritis, which adds structural vulnerability. These factors combined make septic arthritis a serious risk. Foot ulcers or skin breaks can act as bacterial entry points, especially in patients with neuropathy who may not feel early symptoms. Regular skin inspections, blood sugar control, and rapid infection treatment are critical for prevention.

12. Use of Corticosteroids

Chronic or high-dose corticosteroid use—whether taken orally or injected directly into joints—can suppress the immune system, leaving patients more susceptible to infection. Corticosteroids may also mask the inflammation and pain typically associated with septic arthritis, delaying diagnosis. Joint injections, especially when repeated, carry a small but real risk of introducing bacteria if not administered under strictly sterile conditions. Physicians typically balance the benefits of inflammation control with the potential infection risks, especially in patients with existing joint damage or immune compromise.