Arthropathy is a blanket term which is used to refer to diseases of the joints. There are a number of different forms of arthropathy with a variety of causes which require different approaches to treatment. Arthropathy can be quite painful, especially in some cases, and it usually requires treatment to inhibit further degeneration of the joint. Staying active and eating a balanced diet can help to reduce the risk of arthropathy, along with other illnesses.

The symptoms of arthropathy vary, depending on the root cause. In many cases, patients feel pain around their joints, and the joints may also feel somewhat stiff. In the case of neuropathic arthropathy, however, these symptoms are reversed, with patients experiencing a loss of sensation around the joint due to nerve damage. People with certain illnesses and over a certain age are at an increased risk of diseased joints, and their doctors will usually keep an eye on their joint health for this very reason, checking for signs of arthropathy regularly.

Another common form of arthropathy is crystal arthropathy, which involves the deposition of crystals into the joint. This form is associated with gout, a painful condition in which crystals of uric acid accumulate in certain joints of the patient. Patients with diabetes are also at risk of associated arthropathy, as are patients with irritable bowel disease.

In addition to being caused by an ongoing medical problem, arthropathy can also be the result of an infection or inflammation of the joint, or latent infection somewhere in the body. This is known as reactive arthropathy, and like all infections, it requires treatment to ensure that it does not spread. Reactive arthropathy can be caused by a malfunction of the immune system as it responds to an infection elsewhere in the body, and an arthropathy with no known cause may be a signal of an infection which requires attention.

In another form of arthropathy, facet arthropathy, back pain is caused as the facet joints of the back experience degeneration and inflammation. This condition can be extremely uncomfortable, often requiring a period of rest and the use of several medications to try to bring the inflammation and associated pain down. In extreme cases, this form of arthropathy may require surgical treatment.