chronic tendonitis. what are the best treatments. can an mri tell me how bad my!
Question:
i have had pain in my wrists for 8 years and now my ankles are also hurting in the same way. tests show negative for ra.
negative for carpal tunnel. lots of pain. please i need some answers as to my next move. i am a food server and cannot keep working as the more i work the more pain i feel. i just need to get better fast. i don't want to take disablity because i feel i am to young. i am only 41. doctor says there
is nothing he can do except pump me full of nsaids and take tylenol for the pain. can an mri or xrays help find out more?
Answers:
While an MRI may show some signs of inflammation associated with tendonitis, it wouldn't be of much use. When a doctor orders an expensive test they have to think about a few things; will this confirm a diagnosis, will this rule out a diagnosis, will this change the way I am treating the patient. In this case, the answer is pretty much no. It seems that on the basis of exclusion you have been diagnosed with chronic tendonitis. The best treatment for this is what you don't seem to want/can't do, which is rest. In addition there are NSAIDs. There is no great surgical solution.
From here I think you two best options are to:
1) Make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon with a good reputation. You didn't mention they type of doctor you were seeing, so assuming it was primary care, it's time to see the specialist.
2) What about taking a couple months off on disability just to see if the condition improves with rest? I applaud your resistance to going on disability, but sometimes it's necessary. Good luck.
Other Answers:
The answer above is right. See an orthopedic Dr. There are various ankle and wrist wraps available from your local pharmacy that may help. Tendinitis is an overuse injury, so try wrapping the affected area and slow down a little. Cortisone injections worked for me, but I still get occasional flare-ups. Good luck.
I would go either to a rhumatologist or neurologist. I wouldn't go have surgery for it if I were you..
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