Fungal Arthritis Overview
Learn About Fungal Arthritis
View Main Condition: Arthritis
Fungal arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of a joint by a fungal infection. It is also called mycotic arthritis.
Mycotic arthritis; Infectious arthritis - fungal
Fungal arthritis is a rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. The infection can result from an infection in another organ, such as the lungs and travel to a joint through the bloodstream. A joint can also become infected during a surgery. People with weakened immune systems who travel or live in areas where the fungi are common, are more susceptible to most causes of fungal arthritis.
Conditions that can cause fungal arthritis include:
- Blastomycosis
- Candidiasis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Histoplasmosis
- Sporotrichosis
The fungus can affect bone or joint tissue. One or more joints can be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Joint swelling
- Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection using antifungal medicines. Commonly used antifungal medicines are amphotericin B or medicines in the azole family (fluconazole, ketoconazole, or itraconazole).
Chronic or advanced bone or joint infection may require surgery (debridement) to remove the infected tissue.
Loyola University Medical Center
James Stankiewicz is an Otolaryngologist in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Stankiewicz is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fungal Arthritis. His top areas of expertise are Nasal Polyps, Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Sinusitis, Fungal Arthritis, and Endoscopy. Dr. Stankiewicz is currently accepting new patients.
Proliance Surgeons
Craig Villari, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist. He treats a broad spectrum of ear, nose, and throat conditions in both adults and children. He has a special interest in caring for voice, airway, and swallowing concerns and is a post-graduate member of the American Laryngologic Society. He takes great pride in making sure his patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options.Dr. Villari grew up in Buffalo, New York but spent other parts of his childhood in Saint Louis, Missouri and Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated summa cum laude from Emory University where he also completed medical training and otolaryngology residency. He completed an extra year of subspecialty training in laryngology at the University of California, San Francisco and then practiced for four years at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, serves as a peer-reviewer for top journals, and has been an invited national and international speaker for his field.He lives on the Eastside with his wife, their son, daughter, and basset hound, Pickles. Outside of medicine, he enjoys reading, golf, and following professional sports. He's a Kraken fan and optimistic the NBA will make a return to the Emerald City. Dr. Villari is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fungal Arthritis. His top areas of expertise are Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Throat Cancer, and Laryngectomy.
Proliance Surgeons
Adrienne Laury, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist who manages a wide range of adult and pediatric disorders of the ear, nose and throat. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and treats patients with environmental and food allergies. Dr. Laury has a particular interest and significant research experience in the medical and surgical management of sleep disorders, sinonasal diseases, as well as sinus/barometric pressure headaches.Dr. Laury originally grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She attended Villanova University where she graduated summa cum laude. She received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and then completed her residency training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Laury then served as an Otolaryngologist in the United States Air Force for four years. While stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Maj. Laury was an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and instructed numerous residents and medical students. She also served a tour in Afghanistan where she managed facial trauma injuries for deployed American troops.Dr. Laury has received numerous distinctions in teaching and brings that excellence in education to her patients. She is also a nationally recognized lecturer on allergy and sinus headache. Additionally, her extensive research endeavors have enabled her to utilize the most current techniques to care for her patients.Dr. Laury is married and has two young boys and a baby girl. Her husband, originally from Germany, works in software development for Amazon. Dr. Laury enjoys cooking, cycling, traveling, and her guilty pleasure - reality TV. Dr. Laury is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fungal Arthritis. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Sinusitis, Nasal Polyps, and Empyema.
How well you do depends on the underlying cause of the infection and your overall health. A weakened immune system, cancer, and certain medicines can affect the outcome.
Joint damage may occur and the risk of damage is higher if the infection is not treated right away.
Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any symptoms of fungal arthritis.
Thorough treatment of fungal infections elsewhere in the body may help prevent fungal arthritis.
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ohl CA. Infectious arthritis of native joints. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 103.
Ruderman EM, Flaherty JP. Fungal infections of bones and joints. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein and Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 119.

