Migratory Arthritis: Everything You Should Know

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Migratory arthritis describes a pattern of arthritis symptoms and joint involvement. It is not a type of arthritis, per se, but the migratory pattern provides a clue about what type of arthritis is involved how the disease might progress.

This article covers migratory arthritis, its associated conditions, and how it is treated. It also discusses some of the lifestyle changes you can make to help control your symptoms.

Migratory joint pain
Sebastian Meckelmann / E+ / Getty Images

How Does Arthritis Spread?

Migratory arthritis describes a condition in which arthritis symptoms like pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and stiffness travel from one joint to another joint. It is associated with chronic inflammation.

Characteristically, when there is a migratory pattern, one or more joints are affected for a period of time, followed by a period of remission in those joints, as the symptoms re-appear in other joints (usually asymmetric joints). Usually, the onset of migratory arthritis is rapid.

The migratory pattern differs from an intermittent pattern, which is best described as a flare of symptoms followed by complete remission. In other words, in an intermittent pattern, symptoms are present for a limited period of time and then resolve.

The migratory pattern also differs from the additive pattern, whereby a few joints are involved initially but over time more joints are affected.

How long does migratory arthritis last?

Migratory arthritis lasts for varying times depending on the person and the cause of the condition.

What Causes Migratory Arthritis?

The migratory pattern is often related to an underlying medical condition. These are some examples of conditions that may be associated with a migratory pattern of arthritis.

Infectious Arthritis

Infectious arthritis is caused by a germ (bacterium, virus, or fungus) that travels through the body to a joint. The germ can enter through the skin, nose, throat, ears, or an open wound. Infectious arthritis can also develop after an existing infection travels through the body to a joint.

Gonococcal Arthritis

Gonococcal arthritis is caused by infection of a joint. This type of arthritis can develop in people who have gonorrhea, which is caused by a specific bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin. It develops as a complication of infection with group A streptococcus. Usually, the streptococcus infection is located in the upper respiratory tract, such as strep throat or scarlet fever.

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erythema marginatum rheumatic fever
Erythema marginatum rash caused by rheumatic fever.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is an acute spondyloarthropathy, a type of arthritis that most often affects the spine. It occurs as a reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body. Aside from joint involvement, reactive arthritis is associated with redness and inflammation of the eyes and inflammation of the urinary tract.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease. Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs. It can mimic other types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, making the disease difficult to diagnose.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

systemic lupus erythematosus
SLE rash.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, chronic diseases of the intestinal tract, are often grouped together as inflammatory bowel disease because they share similar symptoms, although they differ in how they affect the digestive tract. Arthritis is the most common extra-intestinal complication associated with IBD.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a disease that can occur throughout the body, but most commonly affects the lungs, lymph nodes, or skin. Inflammation causes lumps, or granulomas, to form in the body's tissues. Granulomas, as they grow and clump, can affect how an organ works.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

sarcoidosis on face
Sarcoidosis on facial skin.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium that is classified as a spirochete. Borrelia burgdorferi lives inside of deer ticks and can be spread to humans by the bite of an infected tick.

With the early disseminated stage of Lyme disease, the infection spreads to the rest of the body in the weeks following the tick bite and may cause multiple problems, including joint pain. Late-stage infection, which may be months or years after onset, can lead to chronic arthritis.

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erythema migrans rash on chest
Lyme disease rash.

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Bacterial Endocarditis

Endocarditis, or infective endocarditis, is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs enter your heart. The germs travel through your bloodstream from another part of your body.

Endocarditis may be associated with a variety of symptoms, including joint pain. Bacterial endocarditis can damage your heart valves.

Whipple's Disease

Whipple's disease is a rare condition that prevents the small intestines from allowing nutrients to pass into the rest of the body (malabsorption). Whipple's disease is caused by infection with a specific bacteria, Tropheryma whippelii. The most common early symptom associated with Whipple's disease is joint pain.

What Are the Symptoms of Migratory Arthritis?

The first symptom of migratory arthritis is usually pain in one or more joints. If the pain stops and then reappears in a different joint or joints, you may have migratory arthritis.

Some other symptoms of migratory arthritis include:

  • Redness and swelling around the affected joints
  • Rash
  • Fever 
  • Weight gain or weight loss

How Do I Treat Migratory Arthritis Pain?

See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of migratory arthritis. While pain medication can help manage the pain and inflammation, it is important to also treat the underlying cause. 

Some medications that can help treat the pain of migratory arthritis include:

  • Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen)
  • Topical NSAIDs such as Voltaren (diclofenac sodium)
  • Topical steroid creams such as cortisone
  • Corticosteroid injections for severe pain

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle improvements can also help ease the symptoms of chronic migratory arthritis. Some of these adjustments include:

  • Losing weight: Weight loss can ease pressure on your joints and reduce inflammation. This can help reduce the pain associated with any type of arthritis.
  • Diet: Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation.
  • Exercising regularly: Try low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or riding a bike. Exercising helps strengthen the muscles that support your joints, which can reduce strain and limit swelling. Exercise can also help reduce pain by increasing the lubrication in your joints.

Summary

Migratory arthritis is a pattern of joint pain that begins in one or more joints, resolves, and then reappears in other joints. It is usually caused by an underlying condition such as rheumatic fever, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, or Lyme disease. 

It is important to treat the underlying cause of migratory arthritis and to control the inflammation. Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight loss can also help.

18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Carol Eustice

By Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.