1. Look for Obvious Symptoms
While some of the symptoms of reactive arthritis are the same as those present in other forms of arthritis, some are definitively unique. For example, joint pain, especially in the ankles and wrists, is common for both, but other types of pain are unique to reactive arthritis. The most notorious examples are inflammation and throbbing of the spine and neck, but irritation can also occur in other parts of the body, including the genitals, mouth and skin. Another clear sign of reactive arthritis, especially if combined with several others of the symptoms described here, is conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye). The appearance of blisters, especially on the palms of the hands, and ulcerations on the palate can also indicate the presence of reactive arthritis.
2. Go for Medical Confirmation
While there is no specific test that can determine the presence of reactive arthritis, a combination of several simple examinations can help a doctor confirm the diagnosis. As a first step, doctors will try to identify each symptom and see if there is a logical pattern to them or a frequency at which they repeat or intensify. Medical history plays a role here, as the onset of symptoms sometimes follow periods in which lesser signs were observed but ignored.
The two most common tests for reactive arthritis are the blood test known as the sedimentation rate measurement and a urinalysis, both of which can help detect the presence of infection or bacteria in general. Added to the presence of other symptoms, and especially if joint pain is also present, a doctor could accurately confirm a diagnosis of reactive arthritis.
3. Go for the Fine Print Tests
Do keep in mind that by the time the inflammation shows up in the spine, the disease is usually at the advanced state. That said, X-rays can help confirm the presence of calcification and inflammation, which are both clear signs of arthritis. On the same line, doctors can help determine inflammation of the eye, prostate or skin by performing a series of exams.
