A rare case of triple deformity of knee secondary to Garre’s osteomyelitis

Septic arthritis can lead to joint damage and severe deformities if not treated on time. Garre’s osteomyelitis is a chronic osteomyelitis commonly observed in young adults and children in the mandible region and rarely observed in long bones. Clinical symptoms might include localized pain which is gradually progressive. A triple knee joint deformity results from such neglected infection, causing flexion, adduction and internal rotation deformity. This deformity can affect the range of motion of joints and thus affect the patient's quality of life. This is a case of a 36-year-old female with a triple deformity of the knee caused by a delay in the treatment of septic arthritis. The primary symptoms noted in this case were fever, pain and swelling around the knee joint, which was not adequately managed. The patient neglected the problem, which later resulted in deformity and destruction of the knee joint, which was diagnosed with X-rays and CT scan of the joint with Blood investigations suggestive of acute or chronic infection. The patient was then managed after 10 years of disease progression with aggressive debridement of the joint with a focus on infection control, followed by rehabilitation to improve post-operative mobility and function of the joint. At six months of follow-up, the patient had a notable improvement in terms of pain reduction and joint stability. This case is essential, showcasing the need for prompt diagnosis and intervention in septic arthritis to prevent complications like triple deformity. Treatment delay can cause irreversible damage to joints and long-term functional impairments.