Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiple sclerosis (MS) andreactive arthritisare conditions that cause joint pain and swelling. MS is anautoimmune diseasethat occurs when the immune system malfunctions and starts to attack healthy tissues. MS will target thebrainandspinal cord, attacking themyelin sheath—the protective coating surrounding nerve fibers.
MS and reactive arthritis might share similar symptoms and, possibly, immune system processes. But they are two very different conditions.
This article covers the similarities and differences between MS and reactive arthritis, along with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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The main difference between MS and reactive arthritis is the areas of the body affected. With MS, there is damage to the brain and spinal cord. In reactive arthritis, the joints are targeted.
People with MS will experience different types of pain, including joint and back pain. But most of the pain they experience is stabbing pain that results from faulty nerve signals due to MS lesions on the brain and spinal cord.
There are some additional symptom similarities between the two conditions, although many are different. Symptoms of MS and reactive arthritis include:
Multiple SclerosisDysesthesia (squeezing sensation around the torso)Gait (walking) troublesMuscle spasmsFatigueMuscle weaknessNumbness and tinglingVertigo and dizzinessBladder and bowel problemsSexual dysfunctionEye inflammationJoint and muscle painReactive ArthritisJoint pain and swellingSacroiliitis (inflammation of the sacroiliac joints) leading to buttock and low back painUrinary problemsEye inflammationSkin rashHeel pain and heel spursSpondylitis (spine inflammation)Tendinitis (tendon swelling)Enthesitis (swelling of the tendons and ligaments in the areas where they meet bone)
Multiple SclerosisDysesthesia (squeezing sensation around the torso)Gait (walking) troublesMuscle spasmsFatigueMuscle weaknessNumbness and tinglingVertigo and dizzinessBladder and bowel problemsSexual dysfunctionEye inflammationJoint and muscle pain
Dysesthesia (squeezing sensation around the torso)
Gait (walking) troubles
Muscle spasms
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Numbness and tingling
Vertigo and dizziness
Bladder and bowel problems
Sexual dysfunction
Eye inflammation
Joint and muscle pain
Reactive ArthritisJoint pain and swellingSacroiliitis (inflammation of the sacroiliac joints) leading to buttock and low back painUrinary problemsEye inflammationSkin rashHeel pain and heel spursSpondylitis (spine inflammation)Tendinitis (tendon swelling)Enthesitis (swelling of the tendons and ligaments in the areas where they meet bone)
Joint pain and swelling
Sacroiliitis (inflammation of the sacroiliac joints) leading to buttock and low back pain
Urinary problems
Skin rash
Heel pain and heel spurs
Spondylitis (spine inflammation)
Tendinitis (tendon swelling)
Enthesitis (swelling of the tendons and ligaments in the areas where they meet bone)
Much like other autoimmune conditions, there are no definitive causes for MS and reactive arthritis.
One popular theory among researchers is that some types ofbacteria or virusesmight trigger changes in the immune system that cause it to malfunction.This is often the case for people who have mutated genes that make them susceptible to autoimmune disorders.
Multiple Sclerosis
In people with MS, your malfunctioning immune system attacks the myelin sheath. With that damage, nerve fibers become exposed, causing the messages that travel along those nerves to be slowed or blocked.
Researchers don’t know why this occurs or why it develops in some people and not others. What they do know, however, is that a combination of genetics and environmental triggers (such as chronic stress, trauma, and illness) might be to blame.
MS is also linked to certain risk factors, including:
People who are White are more often diagnosed with MS than people of other races.
What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?
Reactive Arthritis
A specific underlying cause of reactive arthritis is unknown. However, researchers believe that the condition is linked in some way to genetic predisposition. This is because many people who get the condition will test positive for HLA-B27.
HLA-B27 is a genetic marker linked to a group of disorders known asspondyloarthritis, types ofinflammatory arthritisthat affect the spine and cause low back andsacroiliac (SI) joint pain.
Reactive arthritis tends to occur after exposure to specific types of bacteria, especially those that lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gastrointestinal (GI) infections. Examples of such bacteria are:
Reactive arthritis might also be triggered after aSARS-CoV-2 infection causing COVID-19.There are numerous individual cases in medical literature citing examples of people who develop reactive arthritis while recovering from COVID-19 or after they have recovered.
Diagnosing MS and reactive arthritis is complicated because there is no single test to confirm either condition. In order to determine the cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider will gather information based on symptoms, medical and family history, lab work, and imaging.
In diagnosing MS, your healthcare provider will start with your medical history and a physical examination. Your medical history will include past and present symptoms, family history, and any conditions you have or previously had.
A physical exam will be performed. Aneurological examfor MS generally includes an assessment of vision, facial sensations, strength, swallowing reflexes, walking, and balance.
Providing a medical history and having a neurological exam are generally enough to diagnose MS.Other tests might be done to confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
Additional testing might include:
MS is a progressive condition, which means it will get worse over time. You should reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. An early diagnosis means early treatment, and both improve the chance of slowing down the disease.
Steps to Getting an MS Diagnosis
Much like MS, more than one test is needed to diagnose or confirm reactive arthritis. A diagnosis can be difficult because of the way symptoms present and the timeline of those symptoms.
Symptoms of reactive arthritis can last anywhere from three to 12 months and can come and go.For 30%–50% of people who develop reactive arthritis, the condition can return and become chronic (lasting more than six months).
A diagnosis becomes less complicated if a person experiences eye, joint, and urinary tract symptoms all at once or close together in time.
In determining the cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may use the following:
If you develop joint or low-back pain a few weeks after experiencing an infection, reach out to your healthcare provider. It is important to get treatment right away so that reactive arthritis does not become chronic and lead to joint damage.
MS is a lifelong condition without a cure, but it is treatable. It is possible to slow down its effects and reduce the potential fordisease complications. Reactive arthritis, on the other hand, might not return after the initial outbreak, or it may become chronic and eventually cause joint damage.
There are many treatment options to help people with MS manage symptoms and slow down disease progression. You should work closely with your healthcare provider to find a treatment plan that works for you and causes the least amount of side effects.
Medicines used to treat MS include:
Plasma exchangemay be performed for flare-ups that do not respond to corticosteroids. In this procedure, blood is drawn as in a blood donation. The blood cells are returned to you, but the liquid portion of your blood is discarded.
Your healthcare provider might recommendphysical therapyto manage MS pain and symptoms. A physical therapist can show you safe ways to keep moving and how to use assistive devices to get around.
If your healthcare provider can determine a bacterial infection has triggered your reactive arthritis, they might prescribe anantibiotic. The antibiotic prescribed will depend on what type of bacteria is present.
Symptoms of reactive arthritis can be managed with:
If reactive arthritis becomes chronic, your healthcare provider may treat it with a DMARD like Trexall (methotrexate). They might also recommend physical therapy to manage joint pain and stiffness.
Prevention
Reactive arthritis might be preventable. The most effective way to prevent the condition is to reduce your risk of STIs and GI infections.
STIs are preventable with practices including using condoms and limiting sexual partners. To avoid gastrointestinal infections, make sure you practice good hygiene when storing and preparing food.
Summary
Multiple sclerosis and reactive arthritis share some similar symptoms, including joint pain and fatigue, but their similarities stop there.
Diagnosing MS or reactive arthritis is sometimes complicated because they share symptoms with other types of autoimmune diseases. You should reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you start to experience symptoms of either condition.
A Word From Verywell
If you have MS or reactive arthritis, you should check in with your healthcare provider regularly. MS is an aggressive condition that needs prompt treatment so it does not progress and cause further damage to the nerve fibers of the brain or spinal cord. Reactive arthritis can become chronic and lead to joint or spine damage if left untreated.
You should work with arheumatologist(a doctor who specializes in diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones) to manage MS or reactive arthritis. This is the best way to improve your outlook and maintain your quality of life.
Frequently Asked QuestionsResearchers believe that reactive arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This is because it occurs after an infection induces an immune system response. Reactive arthritis usually occurs after the infection has cleared up.Researchers believe that reactive arthritis is frequently misdiagnosed. It can sometimes be mistaken for septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and some kinds of inflammatory arthritis.Learn MoreComparing Septic Osteomyelitis and Septic ArthritisMultiple sclerosis causes joint pain in about half of the people with the condition. Joint pain might trigger muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and balance issues.Learn MoreWhat Is Inflammation?Researchers believe that reactive arthritis occurs after an infection that induces an immune system response. Numerous bacteria can lead to reactive arthritis, includingCampylobacter,Salmonella, andYersinia.There is no evidence that indicates the COVID-19 vaccine triggers reactive arthritis. However, there have been a few cases of people developing reactive arthritis during or after recovery from COVID-19 .Learn MoreTypes of COVID-19 Vaccines
Researchers believe that reactive arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This is because it occurs after an infection induces an immune system response. Reactive arthritis usually occurs after the infection has cleared up.
Researchers believe that reactive arthritis is frequently misdiagnosed. It can sometimes be mistaken for septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and some kinds of inflammatory arthritis.Learn MoreComparing Septic Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis
Researchers believe that reactive arthritis is frequently misdiagnosed. It can sometimes be mistaken for septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and some kinds of inflammatory arthritis.
Learn MoreComparing Septic Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis
Multiple sclerosis causes joint pain in about half of the people with the condition. Joint pain might trigger muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and balance issues.Learn MoreWhat Is Inflammation?
Multiple sclerosis causes joint pain in about half of the people with the condition. Joint pain might trigger muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and balance issues.
Learn MoreWhat Is Inflammation?
Researchers believe that reactive arthritis occurs after an infection that induces an immune system response. Numerous bacteria can lead to reactive arthritis, includingCampylobacter,Salmonella, andYersinia.
There is no evidence that indicates the COVID-19 vaccine triggers reactive arthritis. However, there have been a few cases of people developing reactive arthritis during or after recovery from COVID-19 .Learn MoreTypes of COVID-19 Vaccines
There is no evidence that indicates the COVID-19 vaccine triggers reactive arthritis. However, there have been a few cases of people developing reactive arthritis during or after recovery from COVID-19 .
Learn MoreTypes of COVID-19 Vaccines
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Reactive arthritis.MS International Foundation.Pain.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis: Hope through research.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.Ono K, Kishimoto M, Shimasaki T, et al.Reactive arthritis after COVID-19 infection.RMD Open. 2020;6(2):e001350. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001350National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Reactive arthritis.MS International Foundation.Pain.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis: Hope through research.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.Ono K, Kishimoto M, Shimasaki T, et al.Reactive arthritis after COVID-19 infection.RMD Open. 2020;6(2):e001350. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001350National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Reactive arthritis.MS International Foundation.Pain.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis: Hope through research.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.Ono K, Kishimoto M, Shimasaki T, et al.Reactive arthritis after COVID-19 infection.RMD Open. 2020;6(2):e001350. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001350National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Reactive arthritis.
MS International Foundation.Pain.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS signs and symptoms.
MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis: Hope through research.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?
Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.
Ono K, Kishimoto M, Shimasaki T, et al.Reactive arthritis after COVID-19 infection.RMD Open. 2020;6(2):e001350. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001350
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.
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