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.
University Hospitals Medical Group Inc
Nelson Howard is an Otolaryngologist in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Howard is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fungal Arthritis. His top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Nerve Damage, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Swallowing Difficulty, Laryngitis, and Laryngectomy. Dr. Howard is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Physicians Group
Scott Simms is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Denton, Texas. Dr. Simms is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fungal Arthritis. His top areas of expertise are High Cholesterol, Sciatica, Sitosterolemia, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.
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.