What to expect from physiotherapy for reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis can cause pain, swelling and stiffness after an infection, often affecting the legs, feet or tendons. The assessment considers walking, joint movement, strength, balance, fatigue and the tasks you need to resume. A physiotherapist aims to prevent a painful joint from becoming unnecessarily stiff while avoiding a sudden increase in load.

Early sessions may use comfortable mobility exercises, positioning, rest planning and advice about reducing strain. As swelling and pain improve, the programme can add strengthening, balance drills and a gradual return to work, exercise or sport. Wear supportive footwear if advised, use symptom response to guide progression, and report a flare rather than pushing through it.

Arrange medical review if joint swelling or pain is worsening, symptoms are spreading, or you remain unable to bear weight. Seek urgent help for fever with a hot swollen joint, severe eye pain or light sensitivity, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or sudden weakness. These symptoms need assessment beyond routine exercise planning.

Ask when it is safe to increase walking, which symptoms should limit exercise, and whether tendon pain needs a different loading plan. Clarify how physiotherapy will coordinate with treatment for the infection or inflammation.