M07.4: Arthropathy in Crohn disease [regional enteritis]

Arthropathy in Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a condition where joint complications arise in individuals diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The inflamed bowel in Crohn's patients triggers an immune response that bounces back to certain joints, causing inflammation and pain, most commonly in the arms and legs. This type of arthropathy is known as peripheral arthropathy. In some individuals, it could affect the spine and sacroiliac joints. This is known as axial or centraxial arthropathy. The symptoms usually parallel the bowel disease; they flare when the bowel disease is active and lessen when the bowel disease is in remission. Pain and swelling in fingers, wrists, knees, or ankles are usually the initial signs of this condition. Some people may also experience morning stiffness of the joints. Sore, red eyes and skin sores are other notable symptoms. This condition is not directly contagious, as it is a manifestation of Crohn's disease.