What is polyarthritis?

Polyarthritis is a term used, by a rheumatologist, when a person has arthritis in four or more joints. For example they might have arthritis in their wrists, fingers, knees and ankles all at the same time. It can cause pain and swelling in both large and small joints. It is considered to be an inflammatory condition that can have a variety of causes.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT POLYARTHRITIS: 

• It is any type of arthritis which involves 5 or more joints simultaneously
•  It is usually associated with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, amyloidosis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus erythematosus.
• It may be experienced at any age
• It is found in both men and women
• It can also be caused by infection with an alphavirus such as chikungunya virus and Ross River virus. This condition is termed alphavirus polyarthritis syndrome.
  

Polyarthritis for medical professionals:

MEDICAL ARTICLE: Inflammatory Polyarthritis in the Older Adult

Approach To A Patient With Polyarthritis from Pramod Mahender