Reactive arthritis is called aseptic inflammation of the joint that occurs simultaneously or after a certain period of time, following an infection. Moreover, the infection is not articular (urogenital, intestinal, nasopharyngeal).
This inflammation, which is also commonly called non-purulent, reactive inflammation, is a consequence of multiple immune processes in the tissues of the joint. This type of arthritis has a good prognosis and is cured in most cases.
CAUSES OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
As a rule, the development of this disease is based on a transferred urogenital or intestinal infection. Do not think that the manifestation of reactive arthritis is associated with the direct entry of the pathogen into the joint cavity. Secondary inflammation does not occur in all patients who have had an infectious disease.
Doctors explain this “selectivity” of this ailment by an increased reaction of the immune systems of some patients to microbes circulating in their blood, joint fluid and soft tissues.
TYPES OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS. classification
Depending on the etiology of this type of arthritis, it is customary to distinguish its following forms:
Urogenital reactive arthritis resulting from infections caused by chlamydia, ureaplasma and other pathogens;
Postenterocolitic reactive arthritis that occurs after infections caused by dysentery bacillus, salmonella, clostridium, etc.
SYMPTOMS OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
The triad of reactive arthritis, recognized as “classic” includes:
Conjunctivitis.
Urethritis.
Arthritis.
A typical form of reactive arthritis can be called Reiter’s disease, which combines in its symptoms lesions of the eyes, urogenital tract and joints.
As a rule, symptoms begin to increase after 2-4 weeks after an intestinal or urogenital (venereal) infection. The first is urethritis, manifested by pain and burning at the time of frequent urination.
Conjunctivitis, fixed after urethritis, is characterized by lacrimation, sharp pain and redness of the eye.
Recently, the course of reactive arthritis practically does not occur with obvious symptoms of urethritis and conjunctivitis.
Arthritis itself acts as edema, joint pain, a local increase in temperature over the joint, redness of the skin over the joints, subfebrile temperature and deterioration of general well-being.
The symptoms of such arthritis can be long-lasting and, most dangerous of all, this ailment can easily turn into a chronic form with frequent relapses provoked by concomitant inflammatory diseases.
DIAGNOSIS OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
Diagnosis is based on anamnesis, clinical picture and a number of studies, including:
PCR diagnostics.
Radiography of joints.
Joint punctures.
Arthroscopy.
A general blood test that reveals a high ESR.
For the differential diagnosis of this type of arthritis from arthritis of rheumatic origin, the consultation of a rheumatologist is required. They also resort to consultations of venereologists and urologists to find out the cause that caused the development of reactive arthritis.
TREATMENT OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
The therapy of reactive arthritis is based on the principle of destroying the focus of primary inflammation. That is, urogenital or intestinal infections that led to the development of this condition should be cured. For this, etiologically confirmed antimicrobial therapy should be prescribed. NSAIDs are used to treat joints, in severe cases, the use of corticosteroids is indicated. Locally, anti-inflammatory creams and ointments can be used. After the course of arthritis ceases to be acute, physiotherapy, physical therapy, daydreaming, and hydrotherapy can be connected.
An excellent result is shown by the modern and rather expensive type of arthritis treatment, which consists in the introduction of stem cells into the patient’s body.
