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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Difficulty In Lifting The Arm And Stiffness Sign For Arthritis?

Hi,

For the past 18 months i have been having severe joint pains starting in my left elbow and shoulder i'm not able lift either arms, lift heavy objects or fully straighten and pull back my arms. I can't sleep on them, and when i do in the middle of the night i wake up constantly. My elbows are also really sore to touch and swell up if i bang them.
It seems when i go to bed and when i wake up are the worst times, they are very stiff in the mornings and i'm unable to move them at all, it takes around 3-4 hours for them to be active again but still throughout the day they are throbbing none stop. Some days are not as bad as others but when they are at their worst my back aches and i'm unable to get out of bed. Recently i went to the doctors about my symptoms suggesting arthritis as my mum has rheumatoid arthritis and started it really young, but my blood tests have come back negative so he has ruled it out. All the medication he has given me doesn't work at all but when I stop using them it gets even worse than what it is.

I really think I have arthritis as all the symptoms are their but my doctor won't do anything about it. What can i do?
Tue, 22 Jul 2014
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Orthopaedic Surgeon 's  Response
Hello,

I have studied your case with diligence.

When such patients come to our hospital I advise them blood test like ACCP, ESR, HLA B27.

Rheumatoid arthritis may involve small joints and early morning stiffness in joints, do you have such complain?
Ankylosing spondylitis typically involve spine and hips with other large joint also. There is reduced chest function in this disease. Stiffness in spine is increased do you have such stiffness in spine?

It may be seronegative spondylo arthropathy.
NSAIDs, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) are sometimes prescribed in more severe cases. These include methotrexate and sulfasalazine.Corticosteroid injections for severe pain and inflammation in a specific joint.TNF-a inhibitors, a newer class of biologic medication.
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.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.
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Is Difficulty In Lifting The Arm And Stiffness Sign For Arthritis?

Hello, I have studied your case with diligence. When such patients come to our hospital I advise them blood test like ACCP, ESR, HLA B27. Rheumatoid arthritis may involve small joints and early morning stiffness in joints, do you have such complain? Ankylosing spondylitis typically involve spine and hips with other large joint also. There is reduced chest function in this disease. Stiffness in spine is increased do you have such stiffness in spine? It may be seronegative spondylo arthropathy. NSAIDs, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) are sometimes prescribed in more severe cases. These include methotrexate and sulfasalazine.Corticosteroid injections for severe pain and inflammation in a specific joint.TNF-a inhibitors, a newer class of biologic medication. 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. Wishing you good health. Take care.