Joints

For the last few years, I've had pain in all my joints.. Not unbearable pain, just a small aching pain. Over the years it has gotten worse, all my joints crack, I'm not forcing them to crack, they just do.. If I move a certain way, they crack. My toes, ankles, knees, hips (my hips are the most painful when they crack), lower back, upper back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers.... I do crack my knuckles out of habit, but they don't bother me as much as my other joints. I can't figure out why I have pain in all my joints.. I'm only 18, just turned 18.. I feel that I'm too young to be having joint pains that a 40 yr old person would.. It's kind of worrying me and my mother. My shoulders make a grinding noise when I move them, my ankles creak... I'm not too sure what this could be, I've been looking on the internet for months trying to figure out what could be wrong, but I can't find anything that fits my discription... My back is constantly hurting, it hurts to bend over, my knees hurt to move. I have been diagnosed with Anemia before, not sure if I currently have it, but I don't think that would have anything to do with my pain, but I could be wrong. I don't have any family history of bone problems, however cancer is VERY common in my family. I have not seen my doctor yet. I plan to very soon, but this is still worrying me. Any ideas of what this could be, and how to ease the pain?

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

I recommend that you post your question in a rheumatology forum. Rheumatologists are specialists in joint disorders. Given your age, you may need to be evaluated for a condition called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. However, the differential for joint pain is large. It also includes metabolic/endocrine (e.g.,thyroid and parathyroid disorders), pain syndromes (e.g., growing pains and fibromyalgia), infection (e.g., lyme and viral illnesses), and connective tissue disorders (e.g., Sjogrens and Lupus).

Does the pain improve at a certain point of the day (e.g., upon awakening or later in the day)? Do you have a rash or other findings?

I recommend that you follow up with a primary care physician and perhaps a rheumatologist. You may need to have lab work including an ESR/CRP (to evaluate inflammation), ANA (to evaluate for connective tissue disorders), and metabolic workup. Also, an x-ray of an affected joint may be of use.

The treatment includes NSAIDs. However, if an underlying cause is found, then the treatment would then be adjusted for that.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.