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Loss Of Cartilage In Neck And Progressive Stabbing Pain In Hips. What Could Be The Problem?
Question: for a month i began having severe lower leg cramps, stabbing pains, which progressed to pain in my hips. there has been a warm rash periodically. now my whole body is tender and painful to pressure, and the skin has become indented with cellulite? i do have loss of cartilage in my neck and hips, and a large impingement of my shoulder. i also have vericose veins quite pronounced. i am a 64 year old female. i do yoga and tai chi and light weight bearing exercise daily. i am 5'5" and now weigh 155 lbs. i have osteoporosis and arthritis in my fingers and other joints. any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Possibilities:Polymyositis+Dermatomyositis or MCTD
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for your query.
From the information provided by you, the possible causes of your problems are :-
* Leg cramps and pains in the lower limbs are apparently due to osteoporosis leading to vertebral collapse/spinal stenosis and thereby causing compression over the spinal cord or the emerging nerves.
* Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) :- that is, co-existence of features of several connective tissue disorders such as :
- Rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis of fingers and other joints);
- Polymyositis (involvement of muscles, causing muscle cramps, pains and painful to touch/pressure) with,
- Dermatomyositis (generalized rashes, tenderness of whole body, thickened skin- indented and cellulitis-like appearance);
- Scleroderma (generalized thickening of skin with cellulitis-like appearance, tenderness to pressure).
* Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
You will require to undergo several tests in order to reach to a definite diagnosis.
Hence, consult your doctor, preferably a Rheumatologist, and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with my opinion; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised.
Hope I have addressed to your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any.
Fond regards and have a nice day,
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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