Re: Joint pain

Posted By Don on April 25, 1999 at 11:12:50
I have Hep C cirrhosis.  Over the last several weeks, I have been experiencing increasing pain in my left knee.  Sometimes it really hurts to bend or walk.  Could this be related to the Hep. C or is it more likely something else?

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

Posted By HFHSM.D.-D.M. on April 30, 1999 at 16:08:39
Dear Don:
I appreciated your question. Im frequently asked about hepatitis c and joint pain and Ill try to make some comments that might help.
A lot of patients with hepatitis C have joint pain.  However, hepatitis C is very common and joint pain is very common so it certainly is not clear that the two are connected.  There is a certain form of hepatitis C associated with special antibodies called cryoglobulins that can give specific joint pain.  However, this problem is relatively unusual.  This sort of joint pain actually improves with hepatitis C therapy.  
In most individuals with hepatitis C and joint pain, Im less convinced the two are related.  I would suggest you have your joint pain evaluated the way any other individual would.  These often includes a physicians evaluation and x-rays of the knee.  
Good luck with your situation.  I hope this information is helpful to you.  If you have additional information or questions, I would invite you to post the material to MEDHELP.  At Henry Ford, we have an active group of liver specialists and we an interest in the care and research of  hepatitis C.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.  











Follow Ups:


Joint pain Tom 6/22/1999
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Re: Joint pain HFHSM.D.-D.M. 6/27/1999
(0)