Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic Autoimmune Conditions
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Lyme disease can impact your joints and muscles. Our team provides you with specialized care and helps you get relief.
Medically reviewed by Barton Wise, M.D. on Oct. 16, 2025.
What Are Orthopaedic Autoimmune Conditions?
Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions in which your immune system attacks healthy tissue. In some people, they affect joints, muscles and connective tissue. They also can impact your organs, memory, appearance, energy level and mood.
Some autoimmune joint conditions can be relatively mild, while others can cause severe, long-lasting symptoms or may require joint replacement.
At UC Davis Health Department of Orthopaedics, you receive care from team members who understand your needs. We treat common and complex issues, including autoimmune diseases that cause joint pain. Our experts deliver therapies that stop symptoms and protect your joints.
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Orthopaedic Autoimmune Condition Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the autoimmune disease type and severity. Some conditions only affect certain joints. Others cause symptoms in multiple joints at the same time.
Common Symptoms
Common autoimmune joint disease symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Unusual tiredness (fatigue)
Causes and Risk Factors of Autoimmune Joint Disease
Autoimmune diseases impacting your musculoskeletal system often have no identified cause. Certain factors can increase your risk of getting them, including the following:
Certain Medications
Drugs you take for other medical issues, like high blood pressure or cholesterol, can trigger an immune system abnormality.
Genetics
Autoimmune diseases often run in families, which can increase your risk of having one affecting your joints.
Infectious Diseases
Certain infections are associated with autoimmune diseases that attack the muscles, joints and connective tissue. They include Lyme disease, COVID-19 and Group A Streptococcus (such as strep throat).
Personal History
Having one type of autoimmune disorder increases the likelihood of developing another – possibly one that impacts your musculoskeletal system.
Diagnosing Orthopaedic Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune diseases and their orthopaedic complications affect each person differently. We take time to learn how the condition impacts your muscles or joints and how you responded to previous therapies.
Even if what you are experiencing is difficult to describe, we can still help you. Our program treats a high volume of patients, making it easier to assess vague symptoms. We quickly get to the source of the matter so you can start feeling better.
Assessments typically include a detailed interview, a physical exam and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs. This information helps us make an accurate diagnosis, so you receive the most appropriate therapies for your needs.
Orthopaedic Autoimmune Condition Treatments
Our Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is ranked among the nation’s finest and offers nearly any treatment you may need.
Our program is home to renowned spine, knee, hip and upper extremities (arm, wrist and hand) specialists. This level of expertise helps us detect and manage small details that lead to outstanding outcomes.
We help many people feel better with nonsurgical therapies. We also excel in surgical options such as joint replacement when necessary.
We use a team-based approach, working with other specialists you see to tailor therapies to your needs. We communicate regularly, discussing your response to treatment and planning the next steps of your care.
Pain Medicine
We use a variety of techniques to help manage painful symptoms. Options include medications you take by mouth and imaging-guided injections. Some people benefit from advanced therapies available from our Pain Management Clinic.
Physical Therapy
Highly skilled therapists help you get relief from stiff, achy joints. They also guide you through gentle exercises to improve strength and range of motion.
Integrative Medicine
These services, which include yoga, therapeutic massage and acupuncture, enhance your body’s healing abilities. Integrative medicine providers with advanced (fellowship) training develop a personalized plan.
Joint Repair and Replacement Surgery
We offer sophisticated techniques to access and repair damaged joints. The small incisions we use give you care that’s gentler on your body. Our experts also use advanced robotic technologies to perform joint replacement surgery with high precision.
Preventing Autoimmune Joint Disease
There is not much you or your provider team can do to prevent autoimmune diseases. But if you have one, there are steps you can take to keep them from worsening. They include living an active lifestyle and carefully following treatment regimens.
How many people experience lupus joint pain?
65%Of people with lupus have chronic pain
Autoimmune disease impact by sex
80%Of people with these conditions are women
Multiple autoimmune disorders
25%Of people with one diagnosis tend to develop another condition
Sources: Lupus Foundation of America: Lupus Facts and Statistics
Cureus, NIH: The Prevalence of Autoimmune Disorders in Women
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