Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re not already diagnosed with a condition that can lead to polyarthritis, your healthcare provider may use blood tests, imaging, and a physical exam to diagnose the underlying cause.
This article explains polyarthritis symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
PolyarticulararthritisInflammatory polyarthritis
Polyarthritis symptoms are similar to those ofrheumatoid arthritisand otherautoimmune diseasesthat affect the joints. They can come on suddenly or over many months.
A key sign of polyarthritis is inflammation. Signs ofjoint inflammationinclude:
Morning stiffness and pain that gets with activity and worse with rest are classic symptoms of inflammatory arthritis.
Types of Inflammatory ArthritisThere are different kinds of inflammatory arthritis depending on which joints are affected and how many joints are affected. Inoligoarthritis, four or fewer joints are affected. If five or more joints are affected, it’s called polyarthritis.
Types of Inflammatory Arthritis
There are different kinds of inflammatory arthritis depending on which joints are affected and how many joints are affected. Inoligoarthritis, four or fewer joints are affected. If five or more joints are affected, it’s called polyarthritis.
Autoimmune diseases can trigger an all-body response because they’re systemic diseases that can cause various symptoms. Joint involvement generally does not appear on its own as it can with “wear and tear” arthritis that comes with aging (osteoarthritis).
Autoimmune causes of arthritis tend to have other symptoms including:
In rare cases, the inflammatory disease that causes polyarthritis can also cause scarring in the lungs, dry eyes, skin rash, and inflammation in the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis).
Joint Pain Without InflammationHaving joint pain in multiple joints without inflammation is calledpolyarthralgia. This is common in people who get osteoarthritis as they get older.
Joint Pain Without Inflammation
Having joint pain in multiple joints without inflammation is calledpolyarthralgia. This is common in people who get osteoarthritis as they get older.
Mike Devlin / Science Photo Library / Getty Images
While there are some lifestyle strategies that can help keep your joints healthy as you age, you can’t always prevent a cause of inflammatory arthritis since conditions like autoimmune diseases are often linked to your genes.
Autoimmune Disorders
The autoimmune disorders most commonly associated with polyarthritis include:
Polyarthritis may also be seen in the inflammatory disordergout.
What Is Inflammatory Arthritis?
Illness
Polyarthritis can also occur as part of an acute illness. In these cases, the inflammation may move between more than one joint.
Illnesses linked to polyarthritis include:
Polyarthritis is most commonly related to an underlying disease. Your healthcare provider will ask you if you have other signs and symptoms along with inflamed joints like tenderness, joint effusion (known as “water on the knee”), and swelling, which are common signs of autoimmune diseases.
Symmetry vs. Asymmetry
Your provider will ask whether your pain is symmetric or on both sides (for example, in both hands or knees) or asymmetric, meaning it’s just on one side (one hand).
People with RA tend to have symmetric symptoms. Those with psoriatic arthritis often have asymmetric symptoms.
Blood Tests
Bloodwork can help your provider narrow down a diagnosis. Tests to screen for RA commonly include:
In addition, your healthcare provider may check your blood for:
Other tests can help your provider look for antibodies related to specific autoimmune diseases (serology). Your provider can also test you for viruses if they think your symptoms could be related to an infection.
Imaging Tests
Depending on the possible cause,X-rays, a musculoskeletal ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and a joint fluid analysis (arthrocentesis) can help your provider make a diagnosis.
The treatments for polyarthritis are typically the same as for the autoimmune diseases that can bring it about.
Your provider might recommend medications for pain and inflammation, drugs that can slow or stop the progression of the disease, and at-home therapies to help you manage your symptoms.
Medication
There are many medications that can help with symptoms of polyarthritis, depending on what the cause is.
Over-the-Counter
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Voltaren (diclofenac) can help relieve pain and stiffness. These are available over-the-counter (OTC) with a prescription. Your provider might also prescribe a higher dose if you need it.
OTC options can be used for polyarthritis from a viral illness because while they won’t help with the infection, they can help with your symptoms until you’re better.
Prescription
If you need more treatment than OTC medications, your provider might recommend some prescription medications.
Biologics, including Remicade (infliximab) and Enbrel (etanercept), are other treatments your provider might recommend. They change the immune system to reduce inflammation.
At-Home Therapies
Warming therapies you can do at home can temporarily relieve symptoms of polyarthritis. Examples include:
Do not underestimate the value of exercise in managing polyarthritis symptoms. Low-impact activities like swimming, yoga, andstretchingcan help keep your joints healthy.
Summary
Polyarthritis is arthritis that affects five or more joints. Joint pain and inflammation are the most common symptoms, but you can also have rash, fever, and fatigue depending on the underlying cause.
You need to see your provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment for polyarthritis. The sooner the better, as you want to prevent the condition from getting worse and causing permanent joint damage.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPolyarthritis is treated similarly to arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Potential treatments include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, surgery, medications, massage, and covered heat packs.Migratory polyarthritis refers to the gradual spread of arthritis to different joints. Arthritis will begin in one or two joints and appear to improve after several days, only to return and affect a different set of joints. It is considered acute polyarthritis when symptoms last fewer than six weeks and chronic if symptoms last longer.Learn MoreWhat to Know About Migratory Polyarthritis
Polyarthritis is treated similarly to arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Potential treatments include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, surgery, medications, massage, and covered heat packs.
Migratory polyarthritis refers to the gradual spread of arthritis to different joints. Arthritis will begin in one or two joints and appear to improve after several days, only to return and affect a different set of joints. It is considered acute polyarthritis when symptoms last fewer than six weeks and chronic if symptoms last longer.Learn MoreWhat to Know About Migratory Polyarthritis
Migratory polyarthritis refers to the gradual spread of arthritis to different joints. Arthritis will begin in one or two joints and appear to improve after several days, only to return and affect a different set of joints. It is considered acute polyarthritis when symptoms last fewer than six weeks and chronic if symptoms last longer.
Learn MoreWhat to Know About Migratory Polyarthritis
Migratory Arthritis: Everything You Should Know
7 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.Akhondi H, Gupta N.Polyarticular arthritis.National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. PMID:30725855Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. Published 2018 Oct 1. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145Medical Council of Canada.Polyarthralgia.Kurkó J, Besenyei T, Laki J, Glant TT, Mikecz K, Szekanecz Z.Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis - a comprehensive review.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2013;45(2):170-179. doi:10.1007/s12016-012-8346-7Pujalte G, Albano-Aluquin S.Differential diagnosis of polyarticular arthritis.Am Fam Physician.2015; 92(1):35-41.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145Additional ReadingLedingham J, Snowden N, Ide Z.Diagnosis and early management of inflammatory arthritis.BMJ. 2017;358:j3248. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3248
7 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.Akhondi H, Gupta N.Polyarticular arthritis.National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. PMID:30725855Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. Published 2018 Oct 1. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145Medical Council of Canada.Polyarthralgia.Kurkó J, Besenyei T, Laki J, Glant TT, Mikecz K, Szekanecz Z.Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis - a comprehensive review.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2013;45(2):170-179. doi:10.1007/s12016-012-8346-7Pujalte G, Albano-Aluquin S.Differential diagnosis of polyarticular arthritis.Am Fam Physician.2015; 92(1):35-41.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145Additional ReadingLedingham J, Snowden N, Ide Z.Diagnosis and early management of inflammatory arthritis.BMJ. 2017;358:j3248. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3248
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.
Akhondi H, Gupta N.Polyarticular arthritis.National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. PMID:30725855Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. Published 2018 Oct 1. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145Medical Council of Canada.Polyarthralgia.Kurkó J, Besenyei T, Laki J, Glant TT, Mikecz K, Szekanecz Z.Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis - a comprehensive review.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2013;45(2):170-179. doi:10.1007/s12016-012-8346-7Pujalte G, Albano-Aluquin S.Differential diagnosis of polyarticular arthritis.Am Fam Physician.2015; 92(1):35-41.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145
Akhondi H, Gupta N.Polyarticular arthritis.National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. PMID:30725855
Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. Published 2018 Oct 1. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145
Medical Council of Canada.Polyarthralgia.
Kurkó J, Besenyei T, Laki J, Glant TT, Mikecz K, Szekanecz Z.Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis - a comprehensive review.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2013;45(2):170-179. doi:10.1007/s12016-012-8346-7
Pujalte G, Albano-Aluquin S.Differential diagnosis of polyarticular arthritis.Am Fam Physician.2015; 92(1):35-41.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Arthritis.
Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C.Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145
Ledingham J, Snowden N, Ide Z.Diagnosis and early management of inflammatory arthritis.BMJ. 2017;358:j3248. doi:10.1136/bmj.j3248
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