curious11
12-15-2005, 02:45 PM
Ok... I may have asked this before, so excuse me if I am repeating myself... But does anyone here deal with joint stiffness as a result of MS? I am so confused as to why I am having this problem. I have read "muscle stiffness" on the list of MS sx, but I think this is joint stiffness. I would associate muscle stiffness with spasticity, but this is the inability to bend my knee. I realize the joints are surrounded by muscles and that is how they work, but I would think the muscle relaxers would have helped, and it hasn't. They have helped with my cramping and spasticity, but not my knee stiffness. X-rays of my knee were clear (not arthritis), so any ideas what this could be? I love my neuro, but sometimes he complicates answers... last appt. I asked him if I can expect the knee stiffness to go away eventually like other MS symptoms (come and go) and the impression I got was the stiffness is caused by the way my body is reacting to the disease, so it may not be a direct result of MS, just how my body is reacting to it. I dont know. But I need to increase the mobility of this joint. It is my only "noticable" outward symptom and it inhibits my ability to walk a great deal! Especially this time of year in New England... I need to be able to walk normal because I already have balance issues. Any ideas? Thanks guys :wave:
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StephanieAnne
12-15-2005, 09:11 PM
Curious11
I have stiffness in my fingers, and sometimes my knee and ankle. I can bend them, but when I wake up in the morning my fingers hurt when I open my hand. My neuro said Arthritis, my PCP said, not necessarily arthritis.
So since I joined the YMCA, I get in the shallow end of the pool doing exercises that include moving my fingers, and that stiffness is not so bad anymore, the instructor told me that if you don't use it you will lose it ;) the exercises helped with my balance also, and it is nice because if you lose balance in the pool you can correct yourself quick plus the pool is warm, but not too warm, I was concerned about that too. It also has helped my knee and ankle making them more flexible. But when I get out of the pool and gravity takes over, you can feel the pull on your joints, but that only lasts for a little bit, and I sit by the pool and wait until I feel comfortable enough to go and get changed, then I come home and take a nap! :yawn:
I live in Central NY and swimming in the winter is a wonderful way to pass the cold dark snowy days :p
I have stiffness in my fingers, and sometimes my knee and ankle. I can bend them, but when I wake up in the morning my fingers hurt when I open my hand. My neuro said Arthritis, my PCP said, not necessarily arthritis.
So since I joined the YMCA, I get in the shallow end of the pool doing exercises that include moving my fingers, and that stiffness is not so bad anymore, the instructor told me that if you don't use it you will lose it ;) the exercises helped with my balance also, and it is nice because if you lose balance in the pool you can correct yourself quick plus the pool is warm, but not too warm, I was concerned about that too. It also has helped my knee and ankle making them more flexible. But when I get out of the pool and gravity takes over, you can feel the pull on your joints, but that only lasts for a little bit, and I sit by the pool and wait until I feel comfortable enough to go and get changed, then I come home and take a nap! :yawn:
I live in Central NY and swimming in the winter is a wonderful way to pass the cold dark snowy days :p
duttin
12-16-2005, 11:18 AM
Curious 11,
I have suffered with knee pain,no artheritis,,My knee pain was caused but chronic muscle spasms that caused the tendons behind the knee to pull tight,also I have problems with the right foot,it has a mind of its own.Now I wear a leg brace,my right foot still fights with the leg,but it goes straight and with a good physical therapy plan the knee pain has left.
Toni
I have suffered with knee pain,no artheritis,,My knee pain was caused but chronic muscle spasms that caused the tendons behind the knee to pull tight,also I have problems with the right foot,it has a mind of its own.Now I wear a leg brace,my right foot still fights with the leg,but it goes straight and with a good physical therapy plan the knee pain has left.
Toni