Arthritis Answers

What Is Reactive Arthritis?

Unlike other forms of arthritis, reactive arthritis is caused by infection elsewhere in the human body. It is generally believed that reactive arthritis is caused by the debris caused during an infection becoming lodged in certain parts of the bone joints. For example, when an infection occurs the human immune system fights against them using antibodies. These are released into the bloodstream and whilst effective at killing germs and harmful bacteria, can often leave small pieces of debris afterward. If this debris finds it's way to parts of the joint such as the synovium (the area of liquid around bone cartilage that allows for free and painless movement) it can cause the swelling and inflammation of joints. The gut and the urethra are the two main areas where an infection can bring about reactive arthritis, with the urethra being the most common out of the two. Often times this can be caused by a sexually transmitted disease; chlamydia is the most common of all, and symptoms to look out for are pain in the groin area, a discharge and pain when passing urine. Gastroenteritis is the infection of the gut and can be brought about by any number of methods including but not limited to bacteria such as salmonella. Symptoms are intense pain the stomach, painful diarrhoea and vomitting. On average, about 1 out of every 100 people suffering from either of these conditions are likely to develop reactive arthritis. More normal infections such as a painful throat or a cold can also trigger reactive arthritis, although this is again less common.

Generally reactive arthritis is an uncommon condition affecting young men who are most at risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease through unprotected sex. The symptoms are much like most other forms of arthritis including the usual swelling and tenderness of joints, severe pain in movement that lasts for a couple of hours and a locking or seizing feeling after periods of not moving. You may also experience feelings of fatigue or fever, plus any number of the symptoms of the infection that may have caused the reactive arthritis in the first place.