Reactive arthropathies (arthritis) is the most common problem in children of early and primary school age. Reactive arthritis is a non–purulent inflammatory joint disease that develops in response to an extra-articular infection, in which the suspected infectious agent is located outside the joints. Reactive arthritis most often develops after a respiratory infection, intestinal infection, and even after a mild acute respiratory viral infection. The disease often proceeds relatively easily, without deep damage to the joints.
Main symptoms
- Acute onset (fever, deterioration of general well-being)
- Joint pain (large joints of the lower extremities become inflamed more often: knee, ankle, hip)
- Visible joint changes (swelling in the joint area, redness of the skin above the joint)
- A change in gait (for young children (up to 3 years old), the first symptom may be a change in gait, since the child cannot always specifically describe the place of pain, the pain may be moderate)
Diagnostics
Since the main cause of reactive arthritis in children is infection, the examination protocol must include a blood test for arthritic infections. Instrumental diagnostics (ultrasound of joints, radiography of joints, MRI) is also a mandatory point of examination for children with complaints of joint pain.
Treatment
The main goal of treatment for reactive arthritis is to eliminate the infectious process. The list of medications for reactive arthritis includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. Today, a rheumatologist has great opportunities for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of reactive arthritis in children. In most patients, after the treatment, the inflammatory process in the joint disappears without a trace.
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