migratory polyarthritis /mī″grətôr″ē/ , arthritis that progressively affects a number of joints and finally settles in one or more. It occurs in persons with gonorrhea and develops a few days to a few weeks after the onset of gonorrheal urethritis. The patient usually has a moderate fever and 1 to 5 days of migratory polyarthralgia with variable signs of inflammation. In more prolonged episodes initial arthritic sites may clear as new areas are affected, but persistently involved joints are usually severely inflamed and swollen. After the swelling subsides, the overlying skin may peel. Large joints are most affected. Treatment with penicillin or tetracycline generally provides some relief in 24 to 72 hours. Also called migratory gonorrheal polyarthritis.
