polyarthralgia

pathology

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Polyarthralgia refers to pain in multiple joints. It is a symptom, not a disease itself, and can be associated with various conditions, including arthritis. Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation, which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. While arthralgia specifically denotes joint pain, arthritis involves inflammation that can potentially damage joint cartilage and bone. Polymyalgia rheumatica, for instance, involves aching and stiffness in muscles around the hips and shoulders, and while joints may be affected, the primary issue is not always direct joint inflammation. The causes of joint pain are diverse, ranging from inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis to other underlying issues.12345

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connective tissue disease
Scleroderma
…stiffness of the joints (polyarthralgia)—often mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis—and paroxysmal blanching and cyanosis (becoming blue) of the fingers induced by exposure to cold (Raynaud syndrome). The skin changes may be restricted to the fingers (sclerodactyly) and face but often spread. Although there may be spontaneous improvement in the condition…
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…stiffness of the joints (polyarthralgia)—often mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis—and paroxysmal blanching and cyanosis (becoming blue) of the fingers induced by exposure to cold (Raynaud syndrome). The skin changes may be restricted to the fingers (sclerodactyly) and face but often spread. Although there may be spontaneous improvement in the condition…
Read More