M07.5: Arthropathy in ulcerative colitis

Arthropathy in ulcerative colitis is a type of joint disease that occurs in some people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a long-term, inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon (large intestine). This joint condition presents as swelling, pain, and sometimes, limited movement in the affected joints. The joints most commonly impacted are the large ones including the knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows. This condition may emerge before, during, or after an onset of ulcerative colitis symptoms, which can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. This arthropathy's exact cause isn't known, but it's believed to be related to the immune system's response to inflammation in the colon. Rather than a gradual progression, joint symptoms often appear in flares, much like the bowel symptoms of ulcerative colitis itself.