Diagnosing Joint Pain
Joint pain may be a common complaint, usually due to an injury or wear and tear.
However, sometimes it may be a symptom of an underlying disease, especially if the pain persists.
A prompt diagnosis by an experienced rheumatologist can accurately determine the exact cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Diagnostic tests for joint pain may include:
๐ญ. ๐ฃ๐ต๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฒ๐
๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Checks for redness, tenderness, mobility and flexibility of joints
๐ฎ. ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐: Detects autoimmune disorders and inflammation in the body
If you notice persistent joint pain, consult with our rheumatologist. ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
What Is Spondyloarthropathy?
When backache becomes chronic, this may signal a more serious condition known as spondyloarthropathy.
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ is a family of long-term autoimmune diseases of the joints that share similar symptoms, such as constant fatigue, chronic pain and inflammation in the lower back.
Thankfully, symptoms can be well managed through medications, including painkillers to relieve symptoms or disease-modifying drugs and biologics to help inhibit inflammation.
Should you start to notice pain in the lower back occurring more frequently, consult a rheumatologist for prompt assessment. ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of arthritis that commonly occurs in conjunction with psoriasis, a chronic skin disease that causes patches of red and scaly skin rash.
Apart from symptoms characteristic of psoriasis, PsA also results in the inflammation of joints, causing the affected joints to become painful and swollen.
With the persistent inflammation from psoriatic arthritis, it can eventually lead to joint damage, making early diagnosis important.
Should you experience these symptoms, seek prompt medical attention from a rheumatologist. ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Dealing With Joint Pain Through Exercise
While some believe exercise can aggravate joint pain and stiffness, it actually plays a crucial role in managing and relieving joint pain from conditions like arthritis.
Exercising keeps the muscles and surrounding tissues strong so they can better support the bones, which in turn minimises any unnecessary stress on the joints.
That said, the key is to engage in appropriate exercises regularly, which include pilates, tai chi or swimming. These low-impact exercises can help increase the jointโs range of motion, fight stiffness and protect the cartilage.
For personalised advice on a tailored exercise programme, reach out to our experienced rheumatologist. ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
What are Common Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
If you experience pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips and buttocks, you may have a condition known as ๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) refers to the chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints in the lower back.
As the condition progresses, it could lead to the complete fusion of the vertebrae which can cause spine immobility and affect vital organs like the heart and lungs.
Should you notice symptoms of AS, seek prompt medical advice from a rheumatologist. ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Arthritis in Young People
While arthritis is commonly assumed to affect only the elderly, young people aged 16 or below can still be affected by arthritis.
Juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis (JIA) is a group of arthritis that is common among kids and teens, causing pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
Similar to other forms of arthritis, there is no cure for JIA. Fortunately, symptoms can be managed through medications and exercise regimens to slow disease progression and prevent complications.
Should your child complaint about persistent joint pain, reach out to our experienced rheumatologist ๐/๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฒ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด today ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Myth: Only Women Get Rheumatic Autoimmune Diseases
Rheumatic diseases refer to conditions where joints and connective tissues in the body are affected, which include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, gout and ankylosing spondylitis.
While women are more likely to develop most rheumatic diseases, they can actually affect anyone of any gender. Additionally, factors like family history or lifestyle choices can also increase the possibility of developing rheumatic disorders.
A/Prof Leong Keng Hong has over 20 years of experience treating rheumatic conditions. For a detailed assessment and treatment advice, contact us at ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ.
Preventing the Progression of Ankylosing Spondylitis
With ๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ (AS), the spine and the sacroiliac joints in the lower back become chronically inflamed, to the extent that the persistent pain in the back and progressive stiffness in the spine can deter you from a good night's sleep.
Left untreated, AS can lead to the complete fusion of vertebrae, and spine immobility.
Early, targeted treatment not only allows for prompt pain relief from affected parts but also prevents irreversible damage and complications.
Should you notice symptoms of AS, especially after periods of inactivity, seek medical attention from an experienced rheumatologist ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Fusion of the Vertebrae: The Most Identifiable Characteristic of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a condition named after its most identifiable symptom: the fusion of vertebrae due to chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints in the low back.
As a condition bearing similar symptoms with others, AS can be difficult to diagnose until after the fusion has occurred, and would require blood tests and X-rays.
If you notice chronic pain and stiffness in and around the spine, seek prompt medical advice from an experienced rheumatologist ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
What Can Happen When Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Left Untreated?
Rheumatoid arthritis targets joints around the body, causing chronic inflammation, and loss of function.
While there is currently no cure for the condition, medications coupled with exercises that strengthen affected joints can slow down progression and the development of serious complications.
Should medications and therapy be deemed insufficient, surgery can be done to restore joint function, repair deformities and reduce pain.
If you notice persistent joint pains, particularly in your fingers and wrists, schedule a consultation with an experienced rheumatologist for assessment and prompt treatment. ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Managing joint pain
The thought of exercising may be unthinkable for someone coping with joint pain, but the idea that exercising will exacerbate joint pain and stiffness is not necessarily true.
Inactivity actually leads to weakened muscles and joints, and increases the risk of stiffness.
Regularly engaging in low-impact activities like resistance training, tai chi, cycling and swimming can keep muscles and surrounding tissues strong.
For advice on a tailored exercise programme, reach out to our experienced rheumatologists. ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
Rheumatology treatment tailored for your condition's needs
With over 40 years of combined experience in rheumatology, A/Prof Leong Keng Hong and Dr Anita Lim understand the importance of your input in managing your treatment plan.
Rheumatic disorders respond best to treatment during the early stages, so every detail you provide helps tailor your treatment to the specific needs of your condition.
If you are experiencing severe and persistent muscle, joint or bone pain alongside swelling or fatigue, schedule a consultation to receive treatment for your condition as soon as you can. ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ณ
