Reiter's Syndrome.
Last updated Friday, February 11, 2005
Management and treatmentTreatment Appropriate treatment can suppress the disease activity and manage the symptoms of Reiter's syndrome.
The goal of treatment for arthritis associated with Reiter's
syndrome is to reduce inflammation in the affected joints, thereby
reducing the accompanying pain and limited mobility.
Health care team Because the disease affects different parts of the body, some people
with Reiter's may need to see different specialists over the course of
the disease. The arthritis specialist will be able to coordinate the
treatment of this disorder. Other specialists you may need to see
include dermatologists, who diagnose and treat disorders of the skin;
ophthalmologists, who specialize in diseases of the eye; and
urologists, who treat the urinary tract. Your treatment team also may
include physical and occupational therapists.Exercise and therapy Physical and occupational therapy often is prescribed in conjunction
with medical therapy. Physical therapy consists of different treatments
to reduce inflammation as well as exercises
to increase the mobility of joints and strengthen surrounding tissues.
By promoting improved muscle tone, you can help protect your joints
from damage and keep them working optimally.
Occupational therapy involves learning to perform activities of
daily living in an efficient manner, placing less stress on joints, and
thus making activities easier and joint damage less likely. Medications Medications usually include a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
These drugs usually are sufficient to suppress the swelling, heat, and
pain of the joints. In some cases, doctors use injections of the
hormone cortisone to control pain and inflammation in specific joints.
If neither of these keeps the disease under control, stronger drugs may
be needed.Surgery In the vast majority of people with Reiter's syndrome, the above
approaches are sufficient. In the few people for whom management does
not prevent severe joint damage, surgical reconstruction of the joints such as total hip replacement or total knee replacement by orthopedic surgeons can restore pain-free function.Long-term management The symptoms of urinary tract and skin involvement often clear up on
their own, but the use of appropriate antibiotics and topical skin
medications may be necessary at times.
Iritis, because of its potential for damaging the eye, requires
close supervision by an ophthalmologist. Depending on the severity of
the condition, your doctor may prescribe anti inflammatory medication
in the form of eye drops, pills, or direct injection into the eye
tissues.
Because Reiter's has been associated with sexual exposure in some
people, some doctors recommend using a condom to prevent recurrences of
the disease. The condom is used to prevent a recurrence, not to prevent
transmission of the syndrome.
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