Extraordinary Arthritis Cases
Arthritis is often seen as a straightforward condition—aching joints, stiffness, swelling, and treatments that manage but rarely cure. But in reality, arthritis can surprise us. Some cases defy medical expectations, showing dramatic remissions linked to surprising triggers like dental work, antidepressants, or even other illnesses. These stories remind us that arthritis is not just a disease of wear and tear, but a complex interaction of the immune system, environment, and whole-body health.
Here are three remarkable arthritis cases that shed light on the unexpected.
Image courtesy of Texas Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates
1. Arthritis Symptoms Disappear With Antidepressant Use
This surprising case involved a 60-year-old man whose rheumatoid arthritis* had resisted standard treatments for years. At the same time, he was struggling with severe depression. When doctors prescribed escitalopram (an antidepressant) along with risperidone, something unexpected happened: his arthritis dramatically improved. Over the course of a year, his disease activity dropped into remission.
Even more striking, when the antidepressant was stopped, his arthritis worsened—only to improve again once the medication was restarted. While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, this case highlights how mental health and immune health are deeply intertwined. It also raises important questions about the hidden role of neurotransmitters and inflammation in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Image courtesy of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
2. The Woman Who Found Relief After Dental Surgery
Next, one of the most eye-opening cases comes from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who had lived with repeated painful flare-ups. Strangely, her arthritis would worsen when pressure was applied to certain teeth—even though those teeth looked healthy from the outside. After they were removed, something extraordinary happened: her rheumatoid factor turned negative, and her arthritis went into complete remission. She remained symptom-free for 16 years.
The case suggests that hidden infection or irritation in the mouth may act as triggers for systemic inflammation, echoing growing research on the link between oral health and arthritis. For doctors and patients alike, it’s a reminder that sometimes the key to joint pain might not be in the joints at all.
Image courtesy of HSS
3. Arthritis Vanishes After a COVID-19 Infection
In another rare case, a 55-year-old man with erosive rheumatoid arthritis had been struggling with chronic joint pain and inflammation. Then, during a hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia, all of his arthritis symptoms suddenly disappeared. Even more surprising, he stayed in remission for over a year, without needing his usual rheumatoid arthritis medications.
Doctors aren’t sure why this happened. It may have been the immune system “reset” triggered by the viral infection, or perhaps the treatments he received during hospitalization, such as antiviral medication and steroids. While no one would recommend COVID-19 as a treatment, this case does hit at how the immune system can sometimes be recalibrated in ways we don’t yet understand.
Beyond the Diagnosis
These extraordinary cases remind us that arthritis isn’t a one-size-fits-all disease.
Arthritis can be painful, frustrating, and unpredictable. However, these stories show that it can also surprise us in ways that inspire curiosity, research, and hope. The more we learn from unusual cases, the closer we may come to unlocking new paths for treatment and healing.
*Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Unlike wear-and-tear arthritis, RA can also affect other organs if not treated.
