The joints most likely to be affected by reactive arthritis are your knees, ankles, and feet.
The inflammatory reaction can also involve your eyes and the urinary tract, as well as associated genital structures.
The article will then discuss available treatment options and outcomes for people with reactive arthritis.
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Also Known As
Reactive arthritis was formerly known as Reiters syndrome.
Your healthcare provider may also refer to it as a seronegativespondyloarthropathy.
Joints
Reactive arthritis typically involves joint pain and swelling in the knees, ankles, and feet.
Wrists, fingers, and other joints can also be affected.
People with reactive arthritis commonly developtendonitis, which often leads to pain in the ankle or Achilles tendon.
Some cases involveheel spursbony growths in the heel that may cause chronicfoot pain.
Urogenital Tract
Reactive arthritis often affects the urogenital tract.
In people with a penis, reactive arthritis may impact theprostateandurethra.
In people with avagina, reactive arthritis affects the urethra,uterus, and vagina itself.
Skin
Skin symptoms, involving sores and rashes, tend to be less common.
Symptoms of reactive arthritis usually last between three and 12 months.
Generally speaking, women with reactive arthritis often have milder symptoms than men.
In a small percentage of people, symptoms can come and go or develop into a long-term disease.
What Are the Causes of Reactive Arthritis?
In many people, reactive arthritis is triggered bysexually transmitted infections (STIs).
This form of the disorder is sometimes called genitourinary or urogenital reactive arthritis.
This form is sometimes called enteric or gastrointestinal reactive arthritis.
Chlamydia is usually acquired through sexual contact.
Respiratory infections withChlamydia pneumoniaemay trigger reactive arthritis as well.
Men are nine times more likely than women to develop reactive arthritis due to sexually transmitted infections.
Women and men are equally likely to develop reactive arthritis as a result of foodborne infections.
Is It Contagious?
Researchers are trying to better understand why this is the caseand why an infection can trigger arthritis at all.
They are also studying why people with the genetic factor HLA-B27 are more at risk than others.
How Do You Test For Reactive Arthritis?
Each will conduct their own examinations and may run (or repeat) certain tests.
If your infection was mild and didnt require medical treatment, it can make the diagnostic process harder.
Your urine andstool samplesalso may be tested.
To rule out infection in a painful joint, a practitioner may remove and test a sample ofsynovial fluid.
Researchers are developing methods to detect the location of the triggering bacteria in the body.
X-rays can detect other symptoms, including:
What Is the Treatment for Reactive Arthritis?
Although there is no cure for reactive arthritis, several treatments are available that may relieve your symptoms.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics help eliminate bacterial infections that trigger reactive arthritis.
The specific antibiotic prescribed depends on the jot down of bacterial infection you have.
If your infection is ongoing, you will likely be prescribed antibiotics for seven to 10 days.
If a GI infection triggered your reactive arthritis, antibiotics are unlikely to be prescribed.
These medications are typically only used in severe cases or for people who are immunocompromised.
They can be applied directly to skin sores associated with reactive arthritis to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Researchers are testing combination treatments for reactive arthritis.
Aquatic exercise also may be helpful, as waters buoyancy greatly reduces the pressure on your joints.
Does Reactive Arthritis Go Away?
Mild symptoms may linger for up to 12 months, but they generally dont interfere with daily activities.
Some will develop chronic (long-term) arthritis, which usually is mild.
It is possible that such relapses may be due to reinfection.
Back pain and arthritis are the symptoms that most commonly reappear.
A genetic factor might increase the chances of you developing reactive arthritis after an infection.
Reactive arthritis can affect multiple organs.
Typically, people experience joint pain and swelling in the knees, ankles, and feet.
The inflammatory reaction can also cause symptoms in the urogenital tract and eyes.
Exercise under the guidance of a physiatrist or physical therapist may also help.
Most people with reactive arthritis recover fully from their first flare-up.
They are able to return to regular activities after two to six months of symptoms.
Some may develop chronic arthritis, which is usually mild.
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