Final answer:
Reactive arthritis typically manifests as monoarthritis or oligoarthritis with additional signs of inflammation like conjunctivitis and urethritis, differing from other arthritis forms such as rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, and osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear joint condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory condition that typically presents as monoarthritis or oligoarthritis, and it is often accompanied by other signs of inflammation. These can include conjunctivitis, urethritis, and mucocutaneous lesions. In addition to joint inflammation, common symptoms of reactive arthritis are conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), and various skin conditions such as keratoderma blennorrhagicum and circinate balanitis.
Reactive arthritis was formerly known as Reiter's syndrome and typically occurs after a gastrointestinal or urogenital infection. It is important to differentiate it from other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), which have different underlying causes and treatment protocols.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation primarily in the synovial joints. In contrast, osteoarthritis is associated with the breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint, often due to aging and wear and tear. Treatment options for arthritis may include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery, depending on the type and severity of the condition.