Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that an infection in the body can trigger. Most commonly, a sexually transmitted infection or bacterial infection in the intestines, triggers development of reactive arthritis. It’s considered to be an autoimmune disease of the spondylarthritis group. The arthritis often doesn’t develop until after the infection has been successfully treated.
People with reactive arthritis often experience symptoms in the larger joints of the lower extremity. Reactive arthritis was previously known as Reiter’s syndrome, a triad of arthritis, eye inflammation (conjunctivitis), and urinary tract inflammation (urethritis).
Men develop reactive arthritis more often than women, but the diagnosis is more difficult in women. The average age of onset is 30 years old. Men also tend to experience more severe joint pain than women.
Causes of reactive arthritis
Bacterial infection of the urinary tract or intestines is the most common cause of reactive arthritis. The most common bacterium associated with reactive arthritis is Chlamydia trachomatis (which is responsible for chlamydia infections). This bacterium usually spreads through sexual contact.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning can also produce reactive arthritis symptoms, for example Shigella and Salmonella.
Genetics may be a factor in whether or not one develops reactive arthritis. People who have the gene HLA B27 are more likely to develop reactive arthritis. However, not everyone with the HLA B27 gene will develop reactive arthritis if they get an infection.
Symptoms of reactive arthritis
There are three distinct sets of symptoms associated with reactive arthritis.
Musculoskeletal system
Musculoskeletal symptoms include joint pain and swelling. Reactive arthritis most often affects joints in knees, ankles, and the sacroiliac joints (pelvis and lower spine). Patient may also experience joint pain, tightness, and swelling in fingers, back, buttocks (sacroiliac joints), or heels (Achilles tendon area).
Urinary system
A condition called urethritis causes urinary symptoms (infections and inflammation in urethras). Symptoms can include pain or burning with urination and a frequent urge to urinate.
Men may develop prostatitis as part of reactive arthritis (inflammation of the prostate gland). Women – Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix in females). It can also be a sign of reactive arthritis.
Eyes and skin
Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) is one of the main symptoms of reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis may also involve the skin and mouth. Skin rashes, including keratoma blennorrhagica (small pustules on the soles of the feet), may also occur. Mouth sores are less common. However, they can accompany other symptoms of reactive arthritis.
Diagnosis
Evaluate patient’s medical history, a physical examination of patient’s symptoms, and advise blood tests to check for infection or inflammation. A blood test can also determine the HLA B27 gene that increases the likelihood of developing reactive arthritis.
Additional tests to rule out sexually transmitted infections if symptoms indicate a chlamydia infection. A doctor has to swab the urethra in men and will perform a pelvic exam and cervical swab on women. A good doctor may also do an arthrocentesis (removing the fluid in your joint with a needle). Tests are then done on this fluid.
Treatment for reactive arthritis depends on the cause of the condition. An allopathic doctor will prescribe antibiotic medications to treat an underlying infection (sexually transmitted infection, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, skin infections etc).
Medication
The goal of allopathic treatment once the underlying infection is under control turns to pain relief and management. Corticosteroids (oral inject directly into the joints), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen etc helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
If required prescribe stronger anti-inflammatories if over-the-counter medications don’t relieve the pain. If corticosteroids (orally or inject them directly into the affected joints) don’t help, immunomodulating agents, like sulfasalazine, might be necessary.
Doxycycline has also been used for treatment, given its anti-inflammatory properties. In severe cases that aren’t responding to standard therapies, TNF inhibitors (biologics) can be effective.
Homeopathic treatment for reactive arthritis
Homeopathy goal is to treats and cures the disease, not to control or suppress the disease and/or symptoms. The goal of Homeopathic treatment is along with underlying infection(s) to treat and cure pain. Treatment of course for reactive arthritis depends on the cause of the condition (sexually transmitted infection, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, skin infections etc).
A common misinformation/misconception from allopathic drug mafia is that any type of arthritis can only be treated through surgery; in Homeopathy there are many well proven medicines for spondylosis, here are very few of them:
Homeopathic Medication
Kali Bichromicum
Stiffness of neck when bending head forward. Sticking pain from ears to glands. Swollen cervical glands and occipital glands. Sharp, stinging pain in region of kidneys. Pain in back striking through to sternum with cough. Pain, as from a knife, through loins; cannot walk. Violent aching pain, “like a gathering,” in small spot in sacrum, a steady, throbbing pain at
night hindering sleep. Pain in sacrum; cannot straighten himself. Cutting in outer, shooting up and down. Pain in os coccyges (in morning). Pain in coccyx while sitting. Spondylosis.
Actaea Racemosa, Cimicifuga
Severe pain in nape of neck (rheumatic fever; Cerebro-spinal meningitis). Rheumatic pain in the muscles of the neck and back; a feeling of stiffness and retraction. Spondylosis. Violent lightning-like pains in posterior spinal sclerosis. Stiff neck from cold air, from moving even the hands. Sensitiveness of the spine; esp. in the cervical and upper dorsal regions. Severe aching pain in the lumbar and sacral regions; down the thighs and through the hips, with heavy pressing down. Head and neck retracted (in spotted fever).
Rhus Toxicodendron
Rhus tox is the most commonly used medicine for cervical spondylosis. Pain and stiffness in small of back. Numbness or tingling sensation in the arms. Stiffness of the nape of the neck. Loss of power in forearm and fingers; crawling sensation in the tips of fingers. Tingling in feet. Limbs stiff paralyzed. Sciatica.
Cimicifuga Racemose
Has a wide action upon the cerebrospinal and muscular system. Spondylosis – pain in the neck portion from overuse of fingers like those who types in computer keypads long hours with an odd posture. Spine very sensitive, especially upper part. Stiffness and contraction in neck and back. Intercostal rheumatism. Rheumatic pains in muscles of back and neck. Pain in lumbar and sacral region, down thighs, and through hips. Crick in back.
Uneasy, restless feeling in limbs. Aching in limbs and muscular soreness. Rheumatism affecting the belly of muscles, especially large muscles. Chorea like movements, accompanied by rheumatism. Jerking of limbs. Stiffness in tendo-Achilles. Heaviness in lower extremities. Heavy, aching, tensive pain.
Ranunculus Bulbosus
Acts especially upon the muscular tissue and skin, and its most characteristic effects are upon the chest walls, like pleurodynia. Neck pain sometimes spread downwards and to the chest. Inter-costal rheumatism. Chilliness in chest when walking in open air. Stitches in chest, between shoulder-blades. Spondylosis. Moving the head also causes pain even a deep breathing increases the pain. Numbness in arms. Muscular pain along lower margin of the shoulder-blade; burning in small spots.
Kalmia Latifolia
One of the most important medicines for spondylosis when the pain is associated with numbness. Here the pain origin at the neck portion and spread down wards to arm and fingers. Fulgurating pains of locomotor ataxia. Pain from neck down arm; in upper three dorsal vertebrae extending to shoulder-blade. Pain down back; in localized regions of spine; through shoulders. Lumbar pains, of nervous origin.
Deltoid rheumatism especially right. Pains affect a large part of a limb, or several joints, and pass through quickly. Weakness, numbness, pricking, and sense of coldness in limbs. Pains along ulnar nerve, index finger. Joints red, hot, swollen. Tingling and numbness of left arm.
Colocynthis
There is pain in the cervical or neck portion which is very much relieved by pressure or massage on that area. The characteristic symptom in colocynth to prescribe in spondylosis is pain arise after some emotional disturbances like getting anger or being offended that impact in his sentiment or suppression of the anger. Intense neuralgias. Cramps and twitching and shortening of muscles. Spontaneous luxation of the hip-joints. Stiffness of joints and shortening of tendons. Sciatic pain.
Calcarea Carbonica
Pain as if sprained; can scarcely rise; from overlifting. Pain between shoulder-blades, impeding breathing. Rheumatism in lumbar region; weakness in small of back. Curvature of dorsal vertebrae. Nape of neck stiff and rigid. Renal colic. Rheumatoid pains – sharp sticking. Cold, damp feet and knees cramps in calves. Weakness of extremities. Swelling of joints. Burning of soles. Sweat of hands. Arthritic nodosities. Feet feel cold and dead at night. Old sprains. Tearing in muscles.
Calcarea Phosphorica
Rheumatic pain from draught of air, with stiffness and dullness of head. Soreness in sacro-iliac symphysis. Stiffness and pain, with cold, numb feeling, worse any change of weather. Crawling and coldness. Buttocks, back and limbs asleep. Pains in joints and bones. Weary when going upstairs.
Bryonia Alba
Acts on all serous membranes and the viscera they contain. Aching in every muscle. The general character of the pain is a stitching and tearing. Rheumatic pains and swellings; dropsical effusions into synovial and serous membranes. Painful stiffness in nape of neck. Stitches and stiffness in small of back. Knees stiff and painful. Hot swelling of feet. Joints red, swollen, hot, with stitches and tearing; worse on least movement. Every spot is painful on pressure. Constant motion of left arm and leg (Parkinson’s disease).
Kalim Muriaticum
Rheumatic fever; exudation and swelling around the joints. Rheumatic pains felt only during motion or increased by it. Nightly rheumatic pains; lightning-like from small of back to feet; must get out of bed and sit up. Hands get stiff while writing.
Hypericum Perforatum
The great remedy for injuries to nerves. Spondylosis. Pain in nape of neck. Pressure over sacrum. Spinal concussion. Coccyx injury from fall, with pain radiating up spine and down limbs. Jerking and twitching of muscles. Darting pain in shoulders. Pressure along ulnar side of arm. Cramp in calves. Pain in toes and fingers, especially in tips. Crawling in hand and feet. Lancinating pain in upper and lower limbs. Neuritis, with tingling, burning pain, numbness and flossy skin. Joints feel bruised. Hysterical joints. Traumatic neuralgia and neuritis.
Ruta Graveolens
Acts upon the periosteum and cartilages. Tendency to the formation of deposits in the periosteum, tendons, about joints. Pain in nape, back and loins. Spondylosis. Lumbago worse morning before rising. Small of back and loins pain. Legs give out on rising from a chair, hips and thighs so weak. Contraction of fingers. Pain and stiffness in wrists and hands. Ganglia. Sciatica. Hamstrings feel shortened. Aching pain in tendo-Achilles. Thighs pain when stretching the limbs. Pain in bones of feet and ankles. Great restlessness.
Guaiacum Officinale
Stiffness and aching pain in the neck. Stiffness from the neck may extend down the entire back. Marked soreness in shoulders. Cervical spondylosis. Pain between scapulae, extending to forearm. Burning in nape of shoulders. Pain along spine; worse, bending. Weariness through hips and lumbar region.
Pain in deltoid, shoulders, elbows, arms, and fingers. Pain about hip joint. Legs heavy. Pain in ankle-joints and soles. Paralysis of lower extremities.
Paris Quadrifolia
Sense of weight and weariness in nape of neck and across shoulders. Neuralgia, beginning in left intercostal region, and extending into arm. Arm becomes stiff, fingers clenched. Neuralgia of coccyx; pulsating, sticking, when sitting. Fingers often feel numb. Numbness of upper limbs. Everything feels rough.
Gelsemium Sempervirens
Motor paralysis. General prostration. Dizziness, drowsiness, dullness, and trembling. Lack of muscular co-ordination. Dull, heavy pain. Complete relaxation of the whole muscular system. Languor: muscles feel bruised. Every little exertion causes fatigue. Pain in neck, especially upper sterna cleidoic muscles. Dull aching in lumbar and sacral region, passing upward. Pain in muscles of back, hips, and lower extremities, mostly deep-seated.
Loss of power of muscular control. Cramp in muscles of forearm. Professional neuroses. Excessive trembling and weakness of all limbs. Hysteric convulsions. Fatigue after slight exercise.
Silicea
Weak spine; very susceptible to draughts on back. Pain in coccyx. Spinal irritation after injuries to spine; diseases of bones of spine. Potts’ disease. Spondylosis. Sciatica, pains through hips, legs and feet. Cramp in calves and soles. Loss of power in legs. Trembling of hands. Paralytic weakness of forearm. Affections of fingernails. Icy cold and sweaty feet. Extremities go to sleep. Offensive sweat on feet, hands, and axillae. Sensation in tips of fingers, as if suppurating. Panaritium. Pain in knee, as if tightly bound. Calves tense and contract. Pain beneath toes. Soles sore. Soreness in feet from instep through to the sole. Suppurates.