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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe goal of treatment is to manage your symptoms and treat any underlying bacterial infections that may still be present.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to eliminate the bacterial infection that triggered your reactive arthritis if it's still detectable in your body. Which antibiotic you take depends on the bacteria that are present.
For your arthritis signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs can relieve the inflammation and pain of reactive arthritis. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin. Prescription NSAIDs, such as indomethacin (Indocin), may be more effective.
- Corticosteroids. These medications can suppress inflammation in your joints. Injection of a corticosteroid into affected joints can reduce inflammation and allow you to return to your normal activity level.
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. TNF is a cell protein (cytokine) that acts as an inflammatory agent in rheumatoid arthritis. TNF blockers target or block this protein and can help relieve pain and stiffness and improve tender or swollen joints. Doctors initially used TNF blockers to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Preliminary studies suggest that these medications, such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade), can decrease inflammation and relieve pain and stiffness for some people with reactive arthritis.
Physical therapy
Exercise can help people with arthritis improve joint function. Your doctor may have you meet with a physical therapist, who can provide you with specific exercises for your joints and muscles. Strengthening exercises are valuable for developing the muscles around your affected joints, which increases the joint's support. Performing range-of-motion exercises can increase your joints' flexibility and reduce stiffness.
- Reiter's syndrome and reactive arthritis. In: Noble J, et al. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/114024667-3/784198713/959/880.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-00828-3..50142-4--cesec10_4248. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Yu DT. Reactive arthritis (formerly Reiter syndrome). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Questions and answers about reactive arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Reactive_Arthritis/default.asp. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Leirisalo-Repo M, et al. Reactive arthritis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/114235812-3/784844632/1807/526.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10071-3--s0160_2594. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Septic arthritis. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/septic.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Questions and answers about gout. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/default.asp. Dec. 19, 2008.
