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What Causes Pain In Thighs And Knees?
Question: Hi,
I am a NRI and my parents visited us here last month.
My Mother, XXXXXXX has been suffering with a lot of random Severe pains mainly in Thigh and Knees. Occasionally pains also pick-up in lower neck and behind the arms. A detailed state of her is added below.
Please suggest the right next steps and help us in diagnosing the root-cause of the problem.
She has this complaint of pains for quite sometime now, but not this severe. We got her tested for Arthritis and Rh is not bad, so doctor ruled-out Rheumatoid Arthritis. She got her X-ray done and nothing stood out even there.
Finally our family doctor suggested just some pain killers and she is using the meds that I listed below.
She is suffering very badly and thinking of going back to XXXXXXX Unfortunately the medical costs here are very High and I want to see if you can help diagnose her problem or atleast suggest the right speciality to visit here.
Thanks, XXXXXXX
I am a NRI and my parents visited us here last month.
My Mother, XXXXXXX has been suffering with a lot of random Severe pains mainly in Thigh and Knees. Occasionally pains also pick-up in lower neck and behind the arms. A detailed state of her is added below.
Please suggest the right next steps and help us in diagnosing the root-cause of the problem.
She has this complaint of pains for quite sometime now, but not this severe. We got her tested for Arthritis and Rh is not bad, so doctor ruled-out Rheumatoid Arthritis. She got her X-ray done and nothing stood out even there.
Finally our family doctor suggested just some pain killers and she is using the meds that I listed below.
She is suffering very badly and thinking of going back to XXXXXXX Unfortunately the medical costs here are very High and I want to see if you can help diagnose her problem or atleast suggest the right speciality to visit here.
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I will like to keep two differential diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case.
I will like to keep two differential diagnosis
1. Age related osteoarthritis knee with osteoporosis due to hypothyroidism and hysterectomy.
2 lumbar canal stenosis leading to thigh and knee pain.
According to your symptoms and findings there is osteoarthritis of your knee.
I will advise to do standing X ray knee and if required MRI knee can be done.
As you already have done x ray you can attach x ray film and send to me.
If there is severe destruction of menisci then arthroscopic shaving can be done.
Physiotherapy like ultrasound and tens will help, along with knee exercises
For level of osteoporosis DEXA scan can be done to start proper medication.
How much is weight of your mother?
Another possibility of lumbar canal stenosis, as after taking so much medication for knee there is no relief. MRI spine will give details of disease.
As per your medical history you are giving her good amount of medication for healing and pain relief, you can continue it.
I will like to test her Sr B12 and Sr Vit D level and start supplement according to it.
Life style changes will help in reducing pain which include,
LOAD REDUCTION: Protecting the joint from excessive load may slow down the rate of cartilage loss. It is also effective in relieving pain. Avoiding activities like climbing stairs and using a walking stick are worthwhile.
ACTIVITY MODIFICATION –
USING CANES: Assistive devices can make it easier to go about your day without stressing your painful joint. A cane may take weight off your knee or hip as you walk. Carry the cane in the hand opposite the leg that hurts.
VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION: Hyaluronic acid injections given into the joint (especially large joints like knee joint) in prescribed dosages will give good short term pain relief in arthritic joints ranging from 1-2 years. You can take them in XXXXXXX also after consulting to orthopaedic surgeon.
Many of my patients get relief by yoga pranayama and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX so you can also due that.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to give rating to this answer.
Wishing you good health.
Take care
I will like to keep two differential diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case.
I will like to keep two differential diagnosis
1. Age related osteoarthritis knee with osteoporosis due to hypothyroidism and hysterectomy.
2 lumbar canal stenosis leading to thigh and knee pain.
According to your symptoms and findings there is osteoarthritis of your knee.
I will advise to do standing X ray knee and if required MRI knee can be done.
As you already have done x ray you can attach x ray film and send to me.
If there is severe destruction of menisci then arthroscopic shaving can be done.
Physiotherapy like ultrasound and tens will help, along with knee exercises
For level of osteoporosis DEXA scan can be done to start proper medication.
How much is weight of your mother?
Another possibility of lumbar canal stenosis, as after taking so much medication for knee there is no relief. MRI spine will give details of disease.
As per your medical history you are giving her good amount of medication for healing and pain relief, you can continue it.
I will like to test her Sr B12 and Sr Vit D level and start supplement according to it.
Life style changes will help in reducing pain which include,
LOAD REDUCTION: Protecting the joint from excessive load may slow down the rate of cartilage loss. It is also effective in relieving pain. Avoiding activities like climbing stairs and using a walking stick are worthwhile.
ACTIVITY MODIFICATION –
USING CANES: Assistive devices can make it easier to go about your day without stressing your painful joint. A cane may take weight off your knee or hip as you walk. Carry the cane in the hand opposite the leg that hurts.
VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION: Hyaluronic acid injections given into the joint (especially large joints like knee joint) in prescribed dosages will give good short term pain relief in arthritic joints ranging from 1-2 years. You can take them in XXXXXXX also after consulting to orthopaedic surgeon.
Many of my patients get relief by yoga pranayama and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX so you can also due that.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to give rating to this answer.
Wishing you good health.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Sir,
Thanks for your prompt response and diagnosis.
While I work on getting the details like XRay, I am wondering why she gets severe pain in thigh region and neck region?
In fact her pain in knees is not so often. She describes pain as a severe pulling sensation.. Pulling downwards.. Can Osteo arthritis cause pain in thigh and neck region?
She is 110 kgs and also have the green nerves visible all over leg( i forgot the name of the condition- I think I is deep vein thrombosis). Could DVT cause pains like this?
Finally, can it be sciatica? How to tell?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Thanks for your prompt response and diagnosis.
While I work on getting the details like XRay, I am wondering why she gets severe pain in thigh region and neck region?
In fact her pain in knees is not so often. She describes pain as a severe pulling sensation.. Pulling downwards.. Can Osteo arthritis cause pain in thigh and neck region?
She is 110 kgs and also have the green nerves visible all over leg( i forgot the name of the condition- I think I is deep vein thrombosis). Could DVT cause pains like this?
Finally, can it be sciatica? How to tell?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Her thigh pain can be due to osteoarthritis knee,or due to varicose vein or due to nerve compression in spine.
As she is hypothyroid and her weight is more it is possible that she has arthritis in whole spine including neck.
DVT will lead to more calf pain and hardness of calf muscle, to rule out dvt colour Doppler can be done.
As I already mentioned thigh pain can be due to nerve compression [ sciatica]
MRI spine will help to diagnose sciatica.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to give rating to this answer.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
Explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Her thigh pain can be due to osteoarthritis knee,or due to varicose vein or due to nerve compression in spine.
As she is hypothyroid and her weight is more it is possible that she has arthritis in whole spine including neck.
DVT will lead to more calf pain and hardness of calf muscle, to rule out dvt colour Doppler can be done.
As I already mentioned thigh pain can be due to nerve compression [ sciatica]
MRI spine will help to diagnose sciatica.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to give rating to this answer.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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