What Causes Constant Wrist And Shoulder Pain When Tested Negative For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Posted on Wed, 4 Oct 2017

Question: I have pain is almost every joint. It began with both my wrists and then both my shoulders. Both my knees have been replaced and have been good up to now. Both are swollen now and hard to bend. I have been given cordizone shots in my shoulders but I think everyone is looking at the individual

symptoms and not the actual cause. I have been tested for rheumatoid arthritis but it was negative. Everything I have read leads me to believe rheumaroid arthritis may be what I have. Can the test be wrong?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it is possible, may need repeating

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is possible that test was wrong. All tests have possible false negatives or false positives.

The criteria to diagnose RA look at the number and type of joints involved, the result of RF and ACPA blood tests and also the results for other bloods such as ESR or C reactive protein tests.
ESR and c reactive protein look at the level of inflammation in the body.

Points are given and if a the score is greater than 6, the diagnosis of RA is likely. This criteria is available online.

There are other causes of generalized joint pain such as: (1) infection- usually viral infection
(2)other autoimmune diseases- rheumatoid is one form of autoimmune disease but other types such as lupus, sjogren's syndrome
(3)gout
(4)thyroid disease can also affect the joint in some persons and present with discomfort
(5)sickle cell disease

These are some of the causes of generalized pain if RA is truly ruled out.

You may need repeat testing and imaging for a diagnosis to be made

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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