Arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of septic arthritis of the hip joint.

Septic arthritis of the hip joint can be difficult to detect clinically and usually requires a formal arthrotomy for adequate drainage and debridement of the joint. This case report presents a patient for whom the diagnosis and treatment were performed arthroscopically. This technique allows isolation of the organism as well as the opportunity to irrigate, lavage, and debride the joint through a small puncture wound only.