J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2013 Jun;48(3):236-239. 10.4055/jkoa.2013.48.3.236.

Reactive Arthritis in a Patient with Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. lsjmd@naver.com

Abstract

The authors report a case of reactive arthritis that was caused by sexual contact as below example. A 36-year-old male visited our center due to sudden pain in wrist joint, the 3rd finger, knee joint, and achilles tendon. There were no specific abnormalities for the immunoserologic tests and magnetic resonance imaging; however, we found a positive test result for the polymerase chain reaction test of urine that identified Chlamydia trachomatis. Through considering the patient's medical history and various examinations, we considered the possibility of reactive arthritis, to the exclusion of alternate diagnosis. According to the our diagnosis, the patient was treated with antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and we found that the patient was getting better. Therefore the authors think that we have to contemplate the possibility of reactive arthritis and treat appropriately in patients with similar symptoms.

Keyword

reactive arthritis; previous infection; multiple arthritic pain; antibiotics therapy

MeSH Terms

Achilles Tendon
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Arthritis, Reactive
Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis
Fingers
Humans
Knee Joint
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Male
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Wrist Joint
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

  • Figure 1 (A) Radiograph shows no specific bony abnormality. (B, C) Magnetic resonance imaging show subchondral bone marrow edema with synovial thickening of 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal interphalangeal joint.


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