Do I Have Reactive Arthritis?

Do you have redness, swelling, pain and warmth in and around your knees, ankles, and feet?

Do you have a heel pain?

Do you have a back pain and stiffness?

Do you have low back pain that tends to be worse at night or in the morning?

Do you have swollen toes or fingers (your fingers might become so swollen that they resemble sausages)?

Do you have an eye inflammation (conjunctivitis – red, irritated, teary eyes)?

Do you have discomfort while urinating?

Do you have an unusual discharge from your penis or vagina?

Do you have a rash on your soles and palms or mouth sores?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that results from an infection in your body, mainly in the intestines, urinary tract or genitals. Reactive arthritis was formerly known as Reiter's syndrome. It is characterized by the pain and swelling in the joints, inflammation of the eye and inflammation of the urethra. It often occurs as a result of sexually transmitted diseases or foodborne infections. Many bacteria, including Chlamydia and Salmonella, can cause this type of arthritis. Reactive arthritis is not a contagious disease. The disease is more common in men than in women.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is a medical condition that is characterized by the inflammation of the joints, eyes and urethra. It is a painful form of arthritis that occurs as a result of infection with certain bacteria in the genital tract and intestines. Joint pain most often occurs in your knees, ankles and feet. Also, reactive arthritis can affect your heels, toes, fingers, lower back or buttocks. It most often occurs in men between the ages of 20 and 50. A diagnosis is based on a physical examination, blood tests, joint fluid tests and imaging tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is an inflammation of your joints that occurs as a "reaction" to an infection in another part of your body (sexually transmitted infections and foodborne infections). In most cases, reactive arthritis appears as a short episode. The symptoms can completely disappear within a year. The treatment aims to manage the symptoms and treat the infection that is the underlying cause. The treatment includes different types of medication depending on the stage of the disease. Physical therapy can also help in the recovery of the affected joints.