Inflammatory bowel disease arthropathy

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common medical problem in the United States. There may be a genetic predisposition for the development of IBD. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of IBD are often accompanied by symptoms in other body systems. Joint complaints are commonly noted in IBD patients, and may be the primary presenting complaint in some. The sports medicine physician must keep a high index of suspicion for IBD arthropathy in athletes who present with axial arthropathy or peripheral arthropathy that is not related to injury or overuse. Diagnosis may be difficult and relies on accurate diagnosis of the GI disease. Joint symptoms usually respond to treatment of the bowel disease. Other standard treatments of joint pain include ice, rest, rehabilitation exercises, and analgesics, although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided as they may lead to a worsening of the GI symptoms. Exercise won't likely worsen IBD symptoms but whether exercise prevents IBD is still an area of debate.