Septic Arthritis of the Hip
-CBC with diff, ESR, and CRP.
-Ultrasonography: U/S is highly sensitive for effusion seen in septic arthritis, which can be aspirated to confirm the diagnosis.
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-Clinical features of septic arthritis: Fever, refusal to bear weight on affected leg, ESR > 40 mm/hr, WBC > 12, and CRP > 2 mg/dL
MRI – is great for osteomyelitis
CT is helpful if you want to visualize cortical bone.
References
Am Fam Physician. 2009 Feb 1;79(3):215-224. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0201/p215.html
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00568