Inflammation

[amandajane76]

Can someone put me straight.if you have inflammation in joints with this condition does it mean that the joints will eventually become damaged

[Hidden]

hi there i'm not sure about your condition but with osteoarthritis your joints do where out but why don't you google to see what you can find out hope your day is o.k take care Alan

[Purpletop]

Not if the inflammation is caused by lupus. Rheumatoid arthritis damages the joints but not lupus.

[Hidden]

Hi amandajane.. I have big time Inflammation in my joints.I do see a dif in the way my fingers look.Fat and swollen and inflamed... red.I also read our Lupus arthritis doesn't cause joint damage...just hurts like heck!!!take care..dunkxx

[amandajane76]

ATM I still have connective tissue disorder diagnosis.start methotrexate in few weeks

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

If the inflammation in the joints in not brought under control with medication and continues for a long period of time the tendons and ligaments can weaken. Once this happens the tendons and ligaments can no longer support the joint properly. The affected joint becomes lax, or unstable, and can appear to be deformed. The hand joints are the most frequently affected by such deformities. The underlying bones themselves are not affected by the arthritis in lupus, and at least initially the deformities can generally be painlessly corrected by pushing the joint back into position.

[EOLHPC in reply to Paul_Howard]

This is my understanding too, but, as usual, this generalisation is countered by exceptions:

in some cases (mine for instance) SLE inflammation causes a tightening of tendons which complicates diagnosis of joint inflammation...especially in cases like mine where early onset ligamentous laxity means lifelong joint hypermobility.

My consultants took some time to figure this out in my case, partly because I am born globally hypermobile (ehlers danlos type...this is a connective tissue disorder) with typically loose ligaments + infant onset SLE causing the type of soft tissue & joint damage paul is describing + SLE-caused chronic tendon tightening causing severe joint ptoblems in my knees, ankles and in my forefeet joints+joint capsules+nerves (bursitis & Mortons neuroma & club feet & subluxations). My spinal facet joints and vertebrae (inc sacrum) have also been badly affected long term from an early age. My shoulder & arm & hand joints are also involved.

As I understand it, the fact my joint problems respond so positively to my systemic prescription SLE meds (hydroxy + myco + pred + amitrip) confirms this diagnosis of the complex factors affecting my joints...whereas in the decades before my systemic pharmaceutical treatment for SLE began, I was on daily prescription NSAIDs & analgesics which didn't help my joints at all (instead they aggravated my chronic upper GI symptoms)

So often there are exceptions that prove the rule👌👍🍀

[yvonnetowie1]

You will always have joint pains. But if there is a build up of water. You should have anti immflamitry pills. Or should be getting water drained in hospital