
Have Leg Pain, Tenderness Near Knees And Ankles. Taking Tylenol For Arthritis. Numbness In Fingers, Arm Pain, Trouble Walking

After going through the entire description, I am of the opinion that all your symptoms could be related to OSTEOPOROSIS in bones and DEGENERATIVE changes in the joints which are expected at your age.
Also I feel that your habit of smoking (in the past) and use of symbicort (steroid inhaler), both of which causes weakening of bones could have contributed additionally.
Prolonged use of Lorazepam also results in muscle weakness as its side effect.
So, all the above mentioned causes created a cumulative effect on your bones, joints and muscles leading to your present condition.
The general guidelines for managing osteoporosis & osteoarthritis are as follows -
* Life style modifications - Don't smoke, avoid excess alcohol and prevent falls by wearing low heeled,non slippery foot wear
* Regular physical activity in the form of walking for atleast 20 minutes a day which keeps your joints and bones in good shape & strength
* Diet XXXXXXX in calcium like Dark leefy greens, low fat cheese, low fat milk and yogurt, fortified soy products, broccoli, almonds, sardine fish etc.
* Regular intake of Calcium & Vitamin D supplementation.
Regarding your numbness in the fingers, It could be the result of compression of the nerves in the cervical spine due to a protruded disc which can be only diagnosed by having an MRI scan.
Hope I have addressed your issues. Happy to help for any more clarifications.
Good day


the supplements I take are: pacific salmon oil 1000mg x2 (because I do not eat fish; Cal/Mag 2:1 690mg x2; Glucosamine 500mg x4;Vit C 500 mg x2;ASA low dose 81mg, (not prescribed) Vit D3 1000IU x1; Multi vit for women 50+;
I do some Pilates leg exercises every day. I regret that I can no longer wear high heels, not even 2" anymore, do wear shoes with built-in orthotics.
I am no longer taking AtiVan as a sleep aid either. This pretty well fills out the rest of my story. I don't suspect you will find any reason to revise your diagnosis and I will have to accept that I am getting older, which is not easy. Now, if only I could get rid of the pain in my legs, I sleep with heating pad, here or there and pillows between my legs and ankles, and feel quite a bit of stiffness upon rising from bed or chair, which does not last long. But legs do hurt all day long. I guess I would like a further reply if possible, thank you in any case for reading my lifestyle story. good night , wherever you are, XXXXXXX
Just because of the fact that you have maintained a schematic and systematic approach regarding your lifestyle, you are going smoothly till date. Hats off.
If you are experiencing pains right from your hips into your feet along with tingling or numbness, then it could be likely of Sciatica. You need an MRI scan of Lumbar spine to exactly diagnose the problem.
Keep going and don't give up easily.
Take care. Good luck


Am starting another day, and will end our discussions,
yours, XXXXXXX
You can reach me on XXXXXXX for any Musculo-skeletal related problems.

Answered by

Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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