Sufferers of migratory arthritis complain of the rapid onset of swelling and stiffness in one or more joints.  While most affected note little difference in symptoms between migratory (sometimes called migratory rheumatoid arthritis) and traditional arthritis, the pattern of symptoms, movement between one or more joints, and frequency are common differences. 

Typical arthritis has a cyclical pattern, remaining localized to certain regions, which fade after a few days (usually within 4 or 5 days).  Migratory arthritis, however, differs in that the pain and symptoms do not move across the body (say, left hand to right hand), but actually migrate down or up the same side of the person and will inflame in different areas just as symptoms in the original affected areas begin to recede.

A cure has yet to be established for any of the 100 categories of arthritis, including migratory arthritis. Nevertheless, several causes for migratory arthritis have been established, most of which are common to the body’s immune system:

•Whipple’s disease
•bacterial endocarditis
•Lyme disease
•systemic lupus erythematosus
•sarcoidosis
•rheumatic fever
•gonococcal arthritis
•Hepatitis B
•Hepatitis C
•HIV

Migratory arthritis can affect people in any age group, including children.

Migratory arthritis can be managed effectively with medication.  Anti-inflammatory and analgesics medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, dicolfenac, naproxen, and similar medications are frequently prescribed by physicians.  While such medications are important to reduce the daily pain and discomfort of arthritic patients, the main diseases responsible for causing symptoms also need to be treated individually.

Alternative medical therapies may also be considered in treating migratory arthritis. Traditional physicians and alternative medical practitioners would certainly agree that a combination of good diet and exercise is essential to complement the medication.  Alternative practitioners also recommend supplements such as chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty oils in maintaining optimum daily health in order for the body to be better equipped to cope with the pain and symptoms of migratory arthritis.