Reactive arthritis

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Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

Reactive arthritis

Alternative Names

Reiter's syndrome

Symptoms

Urinary symptoms usually appear within days or weeks of an infection. Low-grade fever, inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (conjunctivitis), and arthritis develop over the next several weeks. The arthritis may be mild or severe, and may affect only one side of the body or more than one joint.

Symptoms include:

Achilles tendon pain
Eye pain - burning
Eye redness
Eye discharge
Heel pain
Joint pain in the large joints (hip pain, knee pain, and ankle pain are common)
Low back pain
Skin lesions on the palms and soles that may resemble psoriasis
Small, painless ulcers in the mouth, tongue, and glans penis
Urinary urgency
Urination - burning or stinging
Urethral discharge

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Exams and Tests

The diagnosis is based on symptoms. Since the symptoms may occur at different times, the diagnosis may be delayed. A physical examination may reveal conjunctivitis or typical skin lesions.

Tests that may be performed include:

References

Carter JD. Reactive arthritis: defined etiologies, emerging pathophysiology, and unresolved treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2006; 20 (5): 827-47.


Reiter's syndrome - view of the feet

Review Date: 4/24/2008
Reviewed By: Neil J. Gonter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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