Symptoms of Enteropathic Arthritis
Enteropathic
arthritis causes swelling, redness, heat, and pain in the affected joint. Typically, multiple joints are involved. In most people, peripheral joints are most affected. This includes the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. The finger joints, hips, and shoulders are less likely to be affected.
When the spine is involved, symptoms of enteropathic arthritis may include morning stiffness in the lower back or buttocks. This stiffness also occurs after significant rest. In about 5 percent of people with enteropathic arthritis in the spine, the entire spine may be involved (i.e., the neck and lower back), similar to a condition known as
ankylosing spondylitis.
The symptoms of enteropathic arthritis usually last less than six months and generally occur during a flare of the bowel disease. Enteropathic arthritis does not usually result in destruction or deformity of the joint or cause long-term disability.
It is possible that enteropathic
arthritis symptoms may occur before a person is even diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.
Enteropathic Arthritis Diagnosis
In order to diagnose enteropathic arthritis, the healthcare provider will probably begin by asking a number of questions. Then he or she will typically perform a physical exam looking for signs of enteropathic arthritis. If the healthcare provider suspects enteropathic arthritis, he or she may recommend certain tests.
Tests your healthcare provider may recommend include:
- X-rays or other imaging tests
- Synovial fluid testing
- Blood tests.
Before making a diagnosis of enteropathic arthritis, the healthcare provider will make sure you do not have other conditions that share similar symptoms with enteropathic arthritis. Examples of such conditions include:
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print