Understanding Reactive Arthritis

This video contains a detailed and simplified explanation of reactive arthritis. We discuss the pathophysiology, presentation, features, investigations and management of reactive arthritis.
More written notes and diagrams about reactive arthritis are available on the website at www.zerotofinals.com/reactivearthritis.
Zero to Finals Medicine book:
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US: www.amazon.com/dp/1091859892
Zero to Finals Paediatrics book:
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1080142827
US: www.amazon.com/dp/1080142827
Zero to Finals Obstetrics and Gynaecology book:
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08K4K2WQB
US: www.amazon.com/dp/B08K4K2WQB
Website: www.zerotofinals.com
Notes: www.zerotofinals.com/learn
Multiple Choice Questions: www.zerotofinals.com/test
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DISCLAIMER: This video is for education and entertainment only, and is not medical advice. This video should NOT be used for medical advice or to guide clinical practice. The Zero to Finals content should not be used in any way to guide medical decision making. Zero to Finals takes no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided. Local and national guidelines and senior clinicians are there to help you make decisions, not KZbin videos. If you need medical advice or information, seek it from an appropriately trained and licenced doctor or healthcare provider that can address your individual needs. Zero to Finals cannot guarantee the accuracy of information in this video. Please highlight any errors you notice in the comments below - thank you.

[@ireneb3433]

OMG! I am so, SO GRATEFUL for your generous sharing!!! Wow!! So much more useful than all the expensive specialist appointments I've been attending for a couple of years now!! Thanks again (from Down Under, Australia!)

[@Paul-dv4dr]

Good video. I was diagnosed with this 40 years ago (aged 19). I had one flare-up of the knee about 5 years later but it was aspirated and no further complications. That flare-up was after a period of eating poorly/unhealthily.

[@faisalgorm1965]

are you okay now?

[@houstonwarren2]

I am HLA-B27 Positive and Reiter's Syndrome diagnosed since 2004. I've been taking Enbrel since 2005 with perfect results. As far as the joints go...mine is bilateral (both knees and wrists with some individual vertebrae in the spine and neck occasionally if I stay off Enbrel too long (like 4 weeks). Enbrel is not prescribed for Reiter's/Reactive arthritis because big pharma will not spend the money to do the study on such a small population of patients but it works flawlessly for me. Without it I am bed ridden. With it I can bench 225 and squat 225 t 50 years old. Just sayin'

[@kingofallworlds]

You ever get worked up for rheumatoid arthritis?

[@carrieo102]

Patient here. I presented with only ”can't climb a tree.” Looking back I wish I had been given a course of antibiotics because it could have helped. For me, the swelling and pain came on quite rapidly in one knee. Seven Weeks later inflammation spread to hips and shoulders, right knee. The pain was excruciating. I’m female. I presented with no other symptoms. Now six years later I am still trying to find a biologic that will work past 14 months. Note, there are no pamphlets to give to your patients on this disease and not much information online either. We seem to fall in the cracks between RA and Psoriatic Arthritis. My doctors are good people but not one of them explained to me exactly what was happening to my body. This disease, if chronic will change a person's life dramatically. It would have helped me, in the beginning, to know the information presented in this video.

[@ZeroToFinals]

This was very interesting to read. Thank you

[@AmberAmber]

Carrie I'm so sorry about that ‐ I've just been dxd after 1½ years & yeah ‐ its ruined my life & so much so that I'm currently homeless (I'm not sleeping rough ‐ luckily I have a few wonderful friends who swap me out to their couches) but yeah ‐ its a rough road here. I really hope you & I both improve!! XO love from 🇨🇦

[@truongngo638]

Excellent precise video. You are excellent at explaining medical concepts. Will recommend this to medical students

[@kathrynludrick4821]

My nephew, in his 30's, just came down with this. He had a UTI about a month ago. Multiple joints affected, his knees being the worst. In a lot of pain and can barely walk. Fortunately, he was seen by VA doc and started on Prednisone.

[@kylegrieve5277]

How long did it take for him to recover?

[@madbycelingdotdot6957]

The predinsol was not working for me. And its has side effects

[@sauravpal4201]

Thank you. Very helpful videos. Loved the whole arthritis series!

[@ZeroToFinals]

Thanks Saurav!

[@iamtheraseo]

Love your videos and explanation are great and well paced. Please keep them coming. Would really love to see some MCQ based questions at the end. It is a useful way to reiterate the core points on the topic.

[@ZeroToFinals]

thanks for the suggestino. going to work on the MCQs on the website later this year.

[@Deelitee]

PACE!!! Yes, that’s part of why this is so fabulous.

[@Babesinthewood97]

I have this right now after simply using a wooden dental pick to clean my gums. I used the tooth pick on monday evening which caused an infection that spread rapidly to my throat and on Wednesday, today, I can’t walk, spent the night in the ER, and I can only walk with the aid of crutches, but just barely, it’s so painful. However, my father is a doctor so he diagnosed me immediately and I took an antibiotic as soon as I had the rapid spreading throat infection.

[@PowderChaser]

I just bought the book for kindle, great work!

[@dr.vicnelvictorianelima6477]

Thank you so much. Currently preparing for final medical school exams and this has proved so useful for my internal medicine revisions. Thank you

[@juliannaking4473]

Best Wishes! Girl Power

[@dr.vicnelvictorianelima6477]

Thanks girl

[@alicesummers5288]

These videos are so helpful and great for revision! Thank you!!

[@ZeroToFinals]

Thanks Alice!

[@AYUSH-qe7kk]

Stills its painful

[@GabrielMSandulescu]

I have this since 2019, nobody figured it out until February 2022 when I went to a rheumatology control. Yersinia IgG was positive. In 2019 prostatitis was present as well as joint pain and diarrhea. No fever. Besides that I had lipomas growing very fast. In 2022 i had very bad joint pain in my arms so from there they have start searching for bacterial infection because the blood analysis were perfect, still searching for my treatment, I'm on my third antibiotic scheme. Hope this works...

[@luvuyocaluza95]

How is it going??

[@littlemermaid7408]

I googled the names of all my issues and this came up. Back in January I think I ate bad kale because I had diarrhea for a week after that I got diagnosed with to diverticulitis. After that I got a UTI and I kept getting tests with an infection but no one knew what it was. I had to have ankle surgery in February and then I had all these issues because of that surgery and the recovery. I fell at the end of May on the left side of my body, opposite of my surgery spot and then in July I started getting out of nowhere left knee pain, lower back pain now upper back pain and elbow pain, and I wake up with swollen eyelids every day without even eating salty foods. It all makes sense. I must’ve eaten some thing with salmonella and all of this happened. I have gotten tested for the STD stuck in closet and I am clean. I am going to the doctor to let her know what I think I have because it’s not normal. I have never felt so strange in my life. Not only was the ankle surgery intense but now this. My quality of life has diminished greatly. Thank you for the information.

[@SikanderkhanPTI]

That was very very helpful. Do More.

[@janithperera1945]

If only Med school Profs were as good as you in practical teaching. Love you're vids

[@ihtishamkhan7108]

Srilanka?

[@DrFarahBangash]

Amazing and informative channel for medical students 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ZeroToFinals]

Thanks so much!

[@Dana-cv7ku]

I'd appreciate your input here, so in 2018 I had hip joint pain (not swollen) and it still hurts now especially when I sleep on that side, and this year I had anterior uveitis. Do you think there's link between the two, I tested for STD before having joint pain but only cold sores is positive. Thanks

[@similazrett3408]

Thank you, very informative!

[@iloveanimals5502]

i live with it it’s blood painful mine comes and goes if i a cold it flares up i’m 12 i was diagnosed at 6 it has just flare up again and i’m in soo much pain i was hospitalised when i was. 6 and now 12

[@chrispeters5194]

Hi I have this bit non septic can this cause massive inflammation in your elbow joint and fore arm ? Was red and warm no it isn’t very red but it feels very heavy Thanks

[@mohamedgouda9669]

Thank u so much for rheumatoid ❤️

[@mouradgamal2188]

Ur videos R extremely helpful ...thanks alot for ur effort ^^

[@ZeroToFinals]

Glad to help. Lots more coming later this year

[@BallyBoy95]

3:12 mark - "Can't see, pee, or climb a tree" - I love this paha! Thanks, this will come in handy.

[@DoctorsHub]

Good one. Keep uploading.

[@arishashahid5031]

What is the prognosis of this disease?

[@baderbushusha6885]

Thanks very much good luck😇

[@olivijakurjak3063]

Thank you so much

[@rubasarkez9917]

Thank you ❤

[@mbibi]

Dr Tom, I need to buy your book but it says that It comes as a paperback. My working mediums are Ipad and iPhone. How can I solve my problem?

[@ZeroToFinals]

You can download a free kindle reader and get the kindle version of the book. Alternatively you can find all the content that is in the book completely free on the website at zerotofinals.com/medicine. You won't be missing out if you go on the website and don't buy the book.

[@illaureato3645]

Very useful thank you

[@bobbymoore3862]

Now I completely understand what I need man... 😢 I'm hurt

[@nyeinkyawaung1688]

Thank you

[@hereagain8344]

Anyone got some advice please? I was sedated twice for steroid injections in my spine after enduring whiplash. 2-3 months later I had itchy painful lesions on my left arm, swollen plantar fasciitas and then swallon wrists, knees and ankles. 4 years later my joints feel like they do not produce synovial fluid and are stiff. I am playing with the AIP diet. Can not touch diary now. Made progress with the keto initially.

[@derekconlin1180]

I've heard that some people have had luck with a carnivore diet. I believe it involves cutting out most everything from your diet except for meats (as the name implies) mostly I've heard people mention beef specifically and they'll add 1 other food element to break the monotony and to provide nutritional value as well. They seem to have relieved their inflammation with this diet. Have not tried it myself and would definitely recommend consulting with your doctor and researching for yourself before deciding anything. Best of luck with your health, reactive arthritis is a real pain. I myself have been dealing with it for 20 years now.

[@katdimitriadis]

Oh my god, what a great video. The GP I just saw was useless at explaining what you explained amazingly well. Not everyone can teach I guess.

[@user-hh7rf2qi6s]

thank you that was so helpful

[@ZeroToFinals]

Glad it helped!

[@Murat-eq3cr]

Sometimes my ANA test positive sometimes negative why is it?

[@Fatima98z_]

That’s was adorable 👏👏🌹

[@ManojKumar-ln5iy]

Thank U. V useful

[@narandetagenblirtillluft1419]

Thank you 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@DaisyCar88]

I’ve been told I have this. It’s in my hands, wrists, knees, shoulders and elbows. Incredibly painful and I have newborn twins to look after!

[@kajahbadiishwh8260]

Has it gotten better because have same thibg

[@rishabhsinghvi3218]

Because of unprotected

[@mountainssea9642]

Hannah Howe how you feeling now? I have RA and it’s been just brutal

[@DaisyCar88]

@@mountainssea9642 Hi I’m good, thanks for asking. It lasted about 6 months and spread to every joint except my spine. I’m good now but I think I’ll have aches in some joint forever. How are you? Do you have any lingering symptoms? I always worry it will come back whenever I get sick

[@Harolddiary]

Wow!! I definitively feel you 😞 This process has been the most painful I have ever been in, and I am working and studying, it is just too much. One of the reason why the pain in one of my arm is worst than the other parts is because due to this AR I got an injury in this arm called supraspinatus tear 😦 I am currently drinking Celebrex and the pain has drastically changed but when I stop drinking it the pain comes back, therapy is also helpful during these situations. You first need to rest your body and after a few weeks you need to try to move your articulations as much as possible, slowly and little by little.

[@heshammahdiabdulazizal-sho6404]

Is it balanitis or urethritis? and is reiters disease actually the same disease as reactive arthritis. some books mention reactive arthritis as only the synovitis while reiters is the actual triad which is why i'm confused.

[@blynnhelak369]

Reiters is now called reactive arthritis

[@gamaltaher9714]

Thanks

[@omegarugal9283]

i had this around six months ago and the swelling has not gone entirely, i took antibiotics

[@suchitakamble8947]

Iam having Reiter's syndrome for a month now,I really wanted to know that if this syndrome can be transmitted sexually...then can I have sexual contact after the symptoms have completely gone and before they reappear? Basically is this like AIDS?

[@haapsproduction]

yeah that was helpful,thanks '

[@biswashvlog890]

Hello my brothers has bone cancer and after start chemotherapy he has UTI ,mucus with diarrhea several time and star to pain in knee joints .he is only 16 years old.

[@luvuyocaluza95]

Has he received the correct medication

[@biswashvlog890]

Yes, he is good now.

[@medstudywithhf4182]

Can you pkz guide software you use ..this is best

[@ZeroToFinals]

Hi. I record on an ipad pro using procreate software. this is connected to a mac using itunes to record the ipad screen. Then I edit it in final cut pro. hope that helps

[@lalo160]

I was diagnosed with prostatitis, but i dont really know if the diagnose was correct or not. The thing is that one day i wake up with extreme pain in my knee, and with urinary symptoms at the same time, and diarrea too, but the real thing is that i am healing, at slow rate, but i am healing, i started making excersice, i began supplementing with saw palmetto, and stinging nettle root, pumplin seeds, probiotics, prebiotics, eating just small amount of red meat per week, and my nutrition es really good right now. And basically my urinary problems are gone, only when i drink alot of alcohol my urinary symptoms come back, but if i dont drink alcohol i am completely fine right now, my knee is almost cured, is like 90% cured. I think the main problem with this is our intestine, i notice that when i eat bad, i began pooping green, and when i poo green the urinary symptoms come back again. If ihave good stomach and intestine i am really good, but whenever i eat bad for several days my symptoms come back. So i started with intense probiotics, and eating fermented foods to see if i can heal my gut bacteria completely and see what about my symptoms

[@faisalgorm1965]

are you okay now?

[@lalo160]

@@faisalgorm1965Yes, i can say i am 95% cured right now. It took me 9 months from when i began to today

[@AlbertusVanSchalkwyk]

Owie 😢. Imagine having Gastroentritis and then this happens. My past weekend. Basically stopped eating for 3 or 4 days, ended up in hospital on a drip for 3 days.

[@janetm6229]

It's 2022 and you need to update this informative video to include Post Covid Reactive Arthritis.

[@system3335]

yeah i have this

[@domm165]

Can the patient also present with urethritis instead of balanitis?

[@ZeroToFinals]

yes

[@adelmo_z712]

I have balanitis. I have this decease since a little kid. Any help please.

[@brucehunter8355]

great job!

[@domis90s]

I had swollen knee, finished drink atibiotics against chlamydia and now swell are gone, but that leg became slacker than next one, is it normal? Thanks

[@gokulm594]

@@omegayt5038 I had heavy stomach pain in recent days tested pos for clamdiya after taking antibiotics i am fine now I have this joint paint all over and stomach pain is gone now I hope I will do better still on antibiotics:(

[@sonalisonvadkar2154]

Hello Sir, for Reactive Arthritis can we get Homeopathy Treatment

[@daSumrZboy]

Ice!

[@bobbyknuckles4510]

Workout stretch and eat mostly vegetables and fruits.

[@alaahusain9911]

u are AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGG

[@ZeroToFinals]

Thanks Alaa!

[@littleblueray_]

I had gastro and was vomiting for over 20 hours straight. Went to the hospital and had 3 saline bags out into my IV. A week later I noticed my elbow in extreme pain, I couldn’t even bend or straighten due to the swelling. I went to hospital and was told to leave because I was being treated for a broken radius and they couldn’t find any broken bones. I went home and a day later the doctor rang me in a frenzy haha, thought I had septic arthritis, and wanted me in the hospital ASAP to have it drained. I was extremely underweight at the time so my body must have been having some trouble working to the best of my ability. Turns out it was reactive arthritis :) But goodness me, it was so painful

[@monishaamalraj742]

Hii did you experience any side effects from the meds? I think I might have this. Would be great if you could share your symptoms and recovery with me. Please 🙏

[@littleblueray_]

@@monishaamalraj742 I was given Endone in hospital this did nothing to alleviate the pain, alongside morphine and again did nothing, and then as soon as they gave me fentanyl my pain was almost gone. I had no other medication when I went home from the hospital visit with my diagnosis, only a sling. When the symptoms began happening, The pain was extreme, kind of like a constant burning and I couldn’t lean or move my arm completely. It felt like I had to crack my elbow, but as soon as I did that the pain rose from about a 4 to 8. And I had to get myself to the hospital right away.

[@monishaamalraj742]

Thank you for your reply! So what tests did your doc take to diagnose you with ReA?? Even I’ve lost massive weight. I also feel lightheaded and really tired. Did you have similar symptoms? I woke up one night with crazy pain in my left wrist and since then my legs and back have been hurting

[@littleblueray_]

@@monishaamalraj742 if you have swelling and pain like I did, you would need to go to hospital, I couldn’t bare the pain. I couldn’t move my arm at all. I had my elbow joint drained due to the possibility it of me having septic arthritis. But the result came back negative and I didn’t need to have the surgery they thought I needed. But then I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis.

[@monishaamalraj742]

@@littleblueray_ oh god /: did you test positive for HLA B27? The thing is... I have pain in knees and calf muscles as well... the doc might take RF test tomorrow along with Anti CCP. And thank you so much for replying! I would love to connect with you on IG and share my test results once they’re ready :)

[@Moomoocowmeoww]

what about covid? i have joint pain after covid but not bilateral

[@edwardliu8827]

how long do you have it? I also have joint pain after covid and now its for 6 months

[@becky1925g]

I also have terrible joint pain that started one month after covid. First it was in the jaw, then shoulders, and finally both knees. It's been 6 months and still in my knees. I can tell that my doctor doesn't think the joint pain is connected to the covid. I'm waiting for blood test results.

[@Moomoocowmeoww]

@@edwardliu8827 like 4 months in....all my tests are negative.

[@edwardliu8827]

@@Moomoocowmeoww its been 10 months for me lol and Im still experiencing much pain

[@fruitytarian]

I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis a month ago and still have pain and stiffness in my right hand. Can't wait for it to be gone.

[@TEAMOYOG]

what is your medication

[@fruitytarian]

@@TEAMOYOG @TEAMOYOG I went to a hospital the day after it started out on a drip. The doctor gave me a weeks supply of diclofenac, prednisolone and paracetamol and sent me home. I'm much better now, and only have stiffness in my middle finger joint when I wake up, especially if it's cold or it I did a workout the night before.

[@evvkkk6657]

Hii what was your symptoms..only one side or both sides pain

[@fruitytarian]

@@evvkkk6657 I had pain all over my body. After taking medication for one week most of the pain went away but I still had pain and stiffness in my right middle finger joint and right palm for about six weeks. Now I only have stiffness in my right middle finger when I first wake up.

[@luvuyocaluza95]

Does this also make your blood thick??

[@soniaerum1113]

Plz upload congenital heart disease

[@soniaerum1113]

Videos

[@hokageinf1076]

So am I screwed? I have reactive arthritis, I’ve been dealing with it for about 5-6 months.. am I going to be stuck with this for the rest of my life?

[@bobbyknuckles4510]

I originally thought that I was going to be stuck with this for rest of my life. Most forums I seen people with it saying they had it for 20 plus years. After 2 to 3 years of having it it finally completely went into remission. I don't know if i was just one of the fortunate ones because I exercise regularly, don't eat meat, and stretch. If you don't workout you may never come out of it. A lot of older people never work out.

[@faisalgorm1965]

are you okay now?

[@rodella1555]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ayushichoudhary192]

👌🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👌👌👌

[@KingVoss]

I got reactive arthritis from shell 🐚fish food poisoning my doctor said shit is painful and lingers

[@petersparshot4997]

How you coping with it now

[@janeulalia]

I thought it was: Can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t wash his feet

[@ZeroToFinals]

Thats also correct!

[@dr.sauravanand6283]

Great effort but osmosis is best .

[@billkuo1]

Please don't stop what you are doing! We need a competitor that is not American!

[@ZeroToFinals]

I definitely will. Currently I am super busy with creating the content on the website and writing books, however in a few months time I will be full time on KZbin creating more videos