Reactive arthritis is joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection in another part of the body — most often the intestines, genitals or urinary tract. This condition usually targets the knees, ankles and feet.
The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints.
Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis caused by an infection. It may be caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, salmonella, or another infection. The condition may cause arthritis symptoms, such as joint pain and inflammation. It may also cause symptoms in the urinary tract and eyes.
Reactive arthritis usually involves inflammation of the joints (arthritis) and tendons, which can cause: joint pain, tenderness and swelling – usually in weight-bearing joints such as your knees, feet and ankles. lower back and buttock pain. swelling of your fingers and toes.
The symptoms of reactive arthritis often clear up on their own within a few weeks or months, but they may become chronic (long-lasting) in some people.
There is no cure for reactive arthritis. Medical care aims to manage the symptoms until you get better. Treatment may include: antibiotics – to destroy the bacteria that caused the initial infection.
Does reactive arthritis go away? Reactive arthritis symptoms usually go away within three to six months after you start treatment. But it can become a chronic illness for 20% of people who have the condition.
HLA-B27. This blood test looks for the presence of HLA-B27, a genetic risk factor for reactive arthritis. Having this marker is consistent with having reactive arthritis, but it is not definitive—people who test negative can still have reactive arthritis, and not everyone who tests positive has the condition.
Reactive arthritis is joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection in another part of the body — most often the intestines, genitals or urinary tract. This condition usually targets the knees, ankles and feet. Inflammation also can affect the eyes, skin and the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra).
The five bacterial infections most commonly associated with reactive arthritis are Chlamydia, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter. These bacteria usually cause gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections.
Diagnosis of reactive arthritis may be difficult, because there are no specific laboratory tests that can confirm it. However, diagnosis may be confirmed based on a personal medical history and reported symptoms. Certain blood tests may be performed to rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
The longer you're exposed to stress, the more destructive the inflammation can become. In a PLoS One study, people with RA identified stress as a trigger for disease flare-ups. Arthritis symptoms contribute to stress, especially when they're unrelenting. Constant pain, fatigue, and poor sleep create a vicious cycle.
Reactive arthritis, formerly referred to as Reiter's syndrome, is a form of arthritis that affects the joints, eyes, urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body), and skin.
The main, and sometimes only, symptom of reactive arthritis is pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints and tendons. It can also affect the: genital tract. eyes.
High-Intensity Exercises – For those with knee osteoarthritis, high-intensity exercises such as sports and deep lunges can exacerbate the condition.
Gout is an extremely painful type of arthritis caused by a buildup, overflow and/or inability to process uric acid.
It was previously called "Reiter syndrome," named after Hans Reiter, who first described this syndrome. Today, it is believed that the disorder is due to an aberrant autoimmune response to a gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection caused by salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, or chlamydia.
The most commonly implicated viruses are parvovirus, the alphaviruses, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, and tropical viruses such as the Zika virus and the chikungunya virus. The diagnosis of viral arthritis should be considered in all patients presenting with acute-onset polyarticular symptoms.
While not common, reactive arthritis, particularly chronic reactive arthritis, can lead to heart problems. These problems include an abnormal heart rhythm, aortic valve insufficiency, or the inflammation of certain tissues lining the heart, which can cause a stabbing chest pain.
Most people diagnosed with reactive arthritis find they have good days and bad days. It usually clears up within six months without leaving any lasting problems. However, a small number of people do go on to develop another type of arthritis that needs long-term treatment.
Your immune system normally makes antibodies that attack bacteria and viruses, helping to fight infection. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system mistakenly sends antibodies to the lining of your joints, where they attack the tissue surrounding the joint.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
Antibiotics. Antibiotics will not treat reactive arthritis itself but are sometimes prescribed if you have an ongoing infection – particularly if you have an STI. Your recent sexual partner(s) may also need treatment.
Immune-mediated conditions associated to Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) have been reported, including vasculitis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, myositis, and lupus. Emerging studies have reported the potential occurrence of reactive arthritis in patients previously infected with COVID-19.
Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin (Indocin), can relieve the inflammation and pain of reactive arthritis. Steroids. A steroid injection into affected joints can reduce inflammation and allow you to return to your usual activity level.