The Musculoskeletal System

Lesson 1: Disease and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
Section II: Joint Pain

1-5

[Previous] [Next]

1-5. POLYARTICULAR PAIN

Here, pain occurs in several joints. Types of polyarticular pain include acute polyarticular pain and subacute pain. Conditions in which there is acute polyarticular pain include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, metabolic-caused joint pain, viral infection, and rheumatic fever.

a. Rheumatoid Arthritis. In this chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease, the joints are affected. Initially, the affected joints may only feel stiff when the individual gets up in the morning. Later, joints become painful and tender, especially joints of the wrists, knees, elbows, and ankles.

b. Systemic Lupus Erythematous. This is an inflammatory infectious tissue disease that bears some similarities to rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain and stiffness are the first and most common symptoms of the disease.

c. Metabolic Caused Joint Pain. These disorders can produce monarticular and polyarticular pain.

d. Viral Infection Process. Diseases in this category range from the common cold and influenza to chicken pox, German measles, and herpes simplex. All are viral infections.

e. Rheumatic Fever. This fever characteristically follows a streptococcal infection. A common complaint among many patients is migratory joint pain.

[Previous] [Next]