Dear Shirley,
Thanks for posting the question.
Does osteoarthritis affects several areas?
Yes OA can affect many areas.It begins in the small joints and may lead to the multiple big joints.Generally age related OA is seen in joints which are either used a lot (fingers) or are stressed up a lot (knee , hip)
Can it develop quickly?
RA develops more quickly as compared to the Age related OA.
I do not know if its relevant but I have dry eyes, and now need glasses for long distance, near distance and using the computer. (I never needed glasses other than for reading in the last few years)
This is an incidental finding, but you need to have check up with the Opthalmologist.
Feel free for more discussions,
Regards
Thank you so much for your reply.
I am in m y late 40's.
I am due to return to a follow up appointment in a few months for my thumb osteoarthritis. What questions would you recommend that I ask?
As I had no visable signs of osteoarthritis in my thumb x ray about 6 months before the latest one which revealed bone spur at base of thumb, grade 2. It seems that it has developed quite quickly.
Should I mention the past pains with knees, ankles and other thumb too. Is there anyway to determine if these are affected too? Before they become more problamtic, like my right thumb?
Sorry to ask so many questions. I would like to understand as much as possible.
Thank you.