Resolved question:
My mom went to the doctor to get tests done because walking is literally unbearable for her now. It started around 4-5 years ago but she ignored it because it wasn't as bad and now that finally she went for a blood test, the blood test is all okay. And she got an x-ray done which shows that are bones are fine too. Now the doctor says they'll have to stick a needle w/ a camera to check her leg. And I'm worried as hell. If anyone has any knowledge on what this could be please let me know so I can find a surgeon or a better consultant. I don't want it to be some kind of a leg tumor or whatever but if its not the bones and the blood test is fine then it may be something worse :(
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.
I understand your concern and will try my best to help you out. Could you please elaborate more on your mother's symptom.
You have mentioned that 'it' started 4-5 years ago ? By it do you mean pain ?
1. What are major complaints / symptoms ? (pain, weakness, swelling ?/lack of balance/ etc)
2. How did it progress ?
3. Does she have a knee pain / hip pain ?
4. Is it on the both sides ?
You can reply as followup.
Thank you
Hello,
Yes I mean the pain, it wasn't as painful but she still felt really tired after going for a walk or wearing heels.
1. Major: Swelling, pain, weakness if my mom doesn't eat on time or misses her daily routine, pain in back-bone, lack of balance as well, pain in her thumbs + fingers as well, she gets angry very easily because her left leg feels like someone is stabbing several needles on it.
2. It progressed when we moved to an apartment which is on 3rd floor and my mom prefers taking the stairs over the lift because the lift is sort of scary so the pain started getting really, really worse. Plus she is also a single parent since 6 years, so she works very hard and goes out and has to drive/walk a lot.
3.Yes she has knee pain in the left leg, but since she has to use her right leg for balance now the knee pain is also in her right leg and she has hip-pain when she's feeling weak but its not everyday.
4.Its on both sides now that it has gotten worse, but it started from the left leg and is severe on the left side. Because the right side mostly hurts because of extra pressure she has to put to walk.
.
Thank you.
With inputs from Dr.Tiwari, Orthopedic Surgeon.
Hello,
It seems like your mother is having a polyarthralgia. This is an inflammation of the joint, which can cause damage to the cartilage and related structures. This mainly involves the join. A Xray might not be able to diagnose it. That is the reason why your Doctor suggested the needle with camera investigation (arthrosopy) . And its is UNLIKELY to be cancer of anything life threatening. So you can relax. However polyarthralgia will require detailed evaluation. A Neurological evaluation is also need, which I am sure your Doctor might have already carried out. Its also a positive sign that the blood tests are also normal.
I hope this helps
Please feel free to ask follow up questions
Thank you
Okay,
Thank you so much for letting me know and I'm glad its not a cancer or a tumor..