Joint Pain and MS - Is There Are Relationship?

There is no direct correlation between joint pain and MS as the disease attacks the central nervous system as opposed to diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus that attack your joints. Having said this, joint pain is very common amongst those who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, predominantly in their hips and knees. The pain is caused by their gait that can be very uneven as the disease progresses.

Causes of an Uneven Gait

There are several different reasons that you can develop an uneven gait that causes pain in your joints:

1. Leg muscle spasticity that causes you to have problems controlling your legs

2. The lack of coordination that worsens as the disease progresses

3. Problems with your natural balance

4. Numbness in your feet or legs

5. The high levels of fatigue that are common with MS

6. Overall weakness of your muscles

7. Foot Drop

All of these are known to be a major part of the relationship between joint pain and MS as they all directly affect the way you walk. Whether they cause you to put more weight on one leg or the other, twist your legs and feet as you walk or make you walk heavy footed, it all puts extra stress and load on your knee and hip joints which can become inflamed and painful. If you have to use a cane, crutches or a walker, these too will affect your gait and result in pain.

Treatments for Joint Pain and MS

Just because you are having problems with joint pain and MS, does not mean that you have to live with it. In most cases you can get your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist. He will work with you to evaluate your gait and then suggest exercises that can help you to strengthen the affected muscles. By following the recommended program you should soon be able to improve your gait and the pain will go away.

Please note that there is a known relationship between joint pain and MS medications such as Avonex and Rebif. Interferon based medications all seem to have a side effect that causes joint pain, often it is worse within the first 24-48 hours these medications have been injected. Most patients find that standard over the counter pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen will take care of the pain associated with these injections.