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Suggest Treatment For Stiffness In Knees And Back Causing Difficulty In Walking

Posted on Tue, 22 Dec 2015

Question: I have stiffness in my knees and back that cause me to walk with difficulty. I have Psoriasis. At times I am fine and have no symptoms and then the next day be just about able to walk. Urine during these times has a very strong odor. Should I see a physician.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, I'd recommend seeing a rheumatologist.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

This sounds very difficult. Given the history you listed, it may possibly be psoriatic arthritis. Treatment for this aims at trying to control the inflammation that may be causing the pain.

Treatment can start initially with NSAIDs, such as the Aleve that you are taking. You may want to maximize this by taking it 3 times a day after eating food.

But a rheumatologist has more medications that he or she can prescribe such as
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and Biological agents. Once it is under control, you may want to consider trying some alternative therapies to help with mobility and help keep the problem in check. Some people find benefit from Tai Chi, yoga, mind-body techniques, and changes in diet.

I don't know how your health care plan works - you may need a referral to a rheumatologist from your primary doctor, or you might be able to just go to one directly.

I hope this information helps and that you feel better soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (21 minutes later)

Thank you - I will see a rheumatologist. Would psoriatic arthritis also cause the fact that anywhere you touch me it is tender. If you press on any part of my arms, legs or ribs they are very tender to the touch, is it normal to have pain like this when people touch you?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I think this is possible.

Detailed Answer:
I think if there is generalized inflammation happening, that might be causing the tenderness/pain everywhere. But I'm not a rheumatologist, I'm a family practice doctor, so I am not absolutely sure.

If your symptoms came on suddenly and are progressing rapidly, and if you can't get in to see a rheumatologist soon, then I would advise you go in to be seen by your primary doctor or an urgent care clinic. They will order lab work (blood tests) and X-rays to help see what is going on and possibly start treatment.

If you want to ask a rheumatologist for further information on this HCM site, you can close this discussion with me, and then post a new question and in the first line of the new question write "For Rheumatologist Only". But you may not get a response for awhile as we don't always have a rheumatologist answering.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (20 minutes later)

Thank you so much. Have a nice evening

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your welcome!

Detailed Answer:
I hope you are doing better soon.

Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar