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What Causes Swelling In Hands And Knees Along With Aches In Legs?
Question: Swelling in hands and knees. Aches and spasm in legs while sleeping bi-laterally. No carpel tunnel. Arms and hand nerve conduction tests show nothing abnormal. Weakness and fatigue in legs..hurts to go downstairs. Losing grip strength in both hands. I am very active.. XXXXXXX athlete and a personal trainer. Age 67.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Looking at the description of your symptoms I would say I tend to agree with your PT about a systemic issue. A neurological cause is not likely from thst description and the nerve conduction studies confirm that.
Most probable cause would seem a systemic connective tissue disease like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus. That could explain both the aching and the swelling episodes.
However their signs are not specific and could be encountered in many different conditions and should be confirmed through lab tests.
It is unclear what other tests you have done, I would advise a blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c reactive protein, fibrinogen, liver and kidney function tests, thyroid function, electrolytes, vitamin D and B12, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies. Such tests can detect inflammation changes or exclude them, reveal other abnormalities which could explain your symptoms.
Perhaps you might already have done some of these tests. If yes please come back to me with the results as they could change my opinion.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Looking at the description of your symptoms I would say I tend to agree with your PT about a systemic issue. A neurological cause is not likely from thst description and the nerve conduction studies confirm that.
Most probable cause would seem a systemic connective tissue disease like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus. That could explain both the aching and the swelling episodes.
However their signs are not specific and could be encountered in many different conditions and should be confirmed through lab tests.
It is unclear what other tests you have done, I would advise a blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c reactive protein, fibrinogen, liver and kidney function tests, thyroid function, electrolytes, vitamin D and B12, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies. Such tests can detect inflammation changes or exclude them, reveal other abnormalities which could explain your symptoms.
Perhaps you might already have done some of these tests. If yes please come back to me with the results as they could change my opinion.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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