Children with swollen, painful knees: Is it Lyme disease or septic arthritis?

(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) Septic or infectious arthritis of the knee and Lyme disease have similar symptoms in children but require different immediate treatment to ensure optimal recovery. A new study in the May 4 issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery identifies four symptoms that are predictive of septic arthritis when the condition presents itself in a child's knee -- an important distinction in areas where Lyme disease is prevalent.