I’ve got mild hip osteoarthritis, now I’m sure I’ve got it in my wrist

No it’s not swollen or red so I know it’s not rheumatoid arthritis.

Then its osteoarthritis. Whats to be gained from irradiating you?

Thanks Ben I just wanted to know! Also this happens everyday whatever I’m doing. How are you managing with hip OA?

Hi Julie,

I actually don't agree with Ben I'm afraid, sorry Ben   I think it is quite important to do the necessary checks to determine it it is OA or not. 

Have you ever been referred to a Rheumatologist Julie, if not then ask your GP to refer you to one.  They are the people who specialise in this field and they will do all kinds of Scans, X-rays, Bloods etc to find out if there is anything sinister going on.  Also once they know for sure what it is,  they can then treat you to stop it getting worse and to hopefully help with the pain.  Good luck and let us know how it goes x

Thanks Sukes! Good advice, all my dr said was for me to refer myself to physiotherapy online and wait for appt at hospital. She knows I’ve had joint injection for hip osteoarthritis but didn’t say anymore than that 

I have to agree with Ben.  As you already have OA, the odds on your wrist problem also being OA are almost certain.  I have OA in various places and my thumb joints are killer painful too, the docs said it's highly likely its also OA but didnt offer an xray and to be honest, I'm happy they didnt.  Diagnoses are made by doctors on the basis of their years of experience coupled with your own medical history, an Xray wouldnt show anything they hadnt already realised and as Ben said, why risk irradiation unnecessarily.  Your doctors can treat the wrist inflammation with very much the same process as for the hip.  Loss of or inflamed cartilage anywhere in the body will respond to treatment in the same way as anywhere else.

Sorry to hear you’ve got it in more than one place Loxie. I have been taken by painkillers and inflammation tablets and I’ve recently brought a adjustable wrist wrap which is like heaven when I get flare ups it really does help with taking away pain. Thanks to all that has made comments I really do appreciate it 😊

You could well be right Loxie, but a GP is what it say's on the tin a 'General Practioner'  so surely it's better for a Specialist to make the diagnosis, after all it could be something totally unrelated to OA.  

GPs manage a lot more osteoarthritis, than rheumatologists. They see people with it every single day.

Rheumatologists manage autoimmune diseases and the horrendously strong drugs used to treat them. The hallmark being RA. 

The rheumatologist would see Julie once, say its OA and refer back to the GP.

 

Hi Ben,

I guess my Rheumy must be special, as I see her every 6 months.  I have a small amount of RA, but mostly OA and she has never suggested referring me back to my GP. 

I’ve had no injury and no repetitive stress, it’s not there all the time. It comes and goes and all the symptoms are the same as my hip osteoarthritis the only difference is .. in my hip I get dull achy pain in my wrist sharp stabbing pain then after dull ache

I’ve had this since May/june

A good proportion of OA is exactly that, repetitive stress on the joint, causing inflammation or loss to the cartilage, or if cartilage has worn down naturally by wear and tear/age and then becomes inflamed.  My ortho surgeon said that we over complicate our views on OA, and that it's very much a symptomatic condition, thus can be diagnosed simply by those symptoms.  I saw the logic in this - I had multiple xrays on my ankle during the long post operative period following my accident and the latter ones quite clearly showed what was happening as a result of loss of cartilage.  The pain in the other areas of my body which now have OA is identical pain - of differing levels maybe, but the 'type' of pain is the same, I dont need specialists, the risk of xrays or months of waiting for appointments, nor a crystal ball, to tell me the obvious

Loxie, who was advising you to get all these x-rays and stuff?  You must have meant this post for someone else.

All i did was ask a question.  Sheeesh.