Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide

There are three different kinds of arthritis that are common among long-term Crohn’s sufferers, two that affect the spine and a third type that affects large joints, such as the knees.

Arthritis is broadly defined as a group of conditions that affect the joints of the body. It is the leading cause of disability for people over the age of 65. It causes swelling, nagging pain and a reduction in flexibility that can turn into a complete loss of flexibility. In Crohn’s patients, arthritis will be a reality for about 25 percent of sufferers.

In most cases, the arthritis begins to manifest itself after the onset of the other gastrointestinal symptoms, but there have been rare cases where the arthritis actually happens first. What makes this form of arthritis so devastating is that once it has begun, there isn’t any real way to contain it, even if you are able to contain your Crohn’s flare-ups.

The joint-oriented arthritis is the least sinister of the three kinds associated with Crohn’s disease and usually flares up at the same time as the associated symptoms do.

This form of joint arthritis doesn’t normally lead to permanent deformity, but damage to the joints over a long period of time can occur. This form of arthritis targets the elbows, wrists, knees and angles. The arthritis is said to be “migratory”, which means that it moves from joint to joint to joint as time goes by. X-rays and blood tests are common ways to diagnose the existence of this form of arthritis. The best way to treat this condition is with medications and the advice of an experienced doctor.

The first kind of spinal arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the lower spine and the joints in the lower back. Studies have shown that with younger sufferers of Crohn’s, this type of arthritis can show up months or possibly years before the more traditional symptoms. Unlike the joint arthritis, permanent damage to the bones of the spinal column can occur if left untreated, leading to the vertebrae to become fused. This results in a severe loss in the range of motion in the back. Luckily, this form of arthritis tends to ease after age 40.

The final form of arthritis associated with Crohn’s also affects the spine. This rare form (2-3 percent of Crohn’s suffers) not only causes the aching and possible deformity if left untreated in the spine, but also inflammation in the eyes, heart valves and lungs. It’s believed that this form of arthritis is genetic, but there has been little study on the subject.

The best way to treat these forms of arthritis is to treat the gastrointestinal symptoms that are more widely associated with Crohn’s disease. Ending a flare-up isn’t guaranteed to lessen the arthritis symptoms, but it’s the best method doctors have at the moment. Consult your doctor to find out what treatment methods are best for your particular case.