How does rheumatic fever primarily affect the joints?

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop following a streptococcal throat infection. When it affects the joints, one of the hallmark features is that it tends to cause symptoms in large joints, such as the knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists, rather than the small joints like fingers and toes. This involvement is typically transient, meaning the symptoms may move from one joint to another without causing lasting damage. This characteristic of fleeting joint pain and swelling is referred to as migratory arthritis.

During an episode of rheumatic fever, the patient may experience joint pain and inflammation that can shift to different joints over time. This does not usually result in permanent damage to the joints, distinguishing it from other conditions that involve chronic joint damage. The temporary nature of the joint symptoms in rheumatic fever aligns with the knowledge that these symptoms can resolve as the underlying inflammation is treated. Understanding this pattern is essential for accurate diagnosis and management of rheumatic fever in clinical practice.