$Unique_ID{BRK02353}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can Rheumatism Attack Muscles as well as Joints?}
$Subject{rheumatism muscles joints arthritis musculoskeletal stiffness
soft-tissue bursitis tendonitis bursa reflex sympathetic dystrophy tendons
musculoskeletal system connecting connective tissue tissues muscle tendon
bursae joint ligament ligaments rheumatic rheumatoid tendinitis}
$Volume{M-18}
$Log{
Bursae of the Knee*0016401.scf}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can Rheumatism Attack Muscles as well as Joints?


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QUESTION:  Is it possible for rheumatism to attack your muscles, not your
joints?  I live in a retirement community and have been very friendly with a
pretty active woman, who has suddenly stopped wanting to do things.  She says
she has "rheumatism," not arthritis.  I can't get her to see a doctor, she
says it will pass.

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ANSWER:  There are several disorders that leave a person with musculoskeletal
stiffness and/or pain that generally spare the joints.  Doctors usually refer
to them as soft-tissue rheumatism--so your friend's diagnosis of her own
condition may be close to accurate.  It is, however, very important for her to
see a doctor, because the risks of permanent damage increase when the ailments
are allowed to settle in the body without treatment for a long time.
     The most common forms of soft-tissue rheumatism are bursitis and
tendonitis.  The bursa are soft sacs filled with lubricating fluid which are
located in connecting tissues, usually near the joints, where friction would
otherwise occur.
     When a bursa is irritated, either by pressure or injury, the little sac
may become inflamed and fill with fluid--thus bursitis results.  Usually
bursitis will clear up when the inflamed area is rested for a while.  It is
important, however, to do conditioning exercises once the attack is brought
under control to restore function to the area.  Too often bursitis sufferers
will abstain from using the affected area again, and reflex sympathetic
dystrophy will set in--that is, the muscles will degenerate and lose
strength.
     Tendonitis, is obviously an inflammation of the tendons, which are
whitish, fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone.
     Treatment for both tendonitis and bursitis may include nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs or injections of steroids into the affected area.
     If the swelling is severe, the doctor may insert a needle to draw off
excessive fluid and bring down swelling.  The worst cases of recurrent
bursitis may be helped with surgery.  If the inflammation keeps coming back to
the same bursa, it may be wise to have that bursa removed.
     There are several other disorders that are under the broad category of
"rheumatism."  Try to encourage your friend to see a doctor, so that she can
begin effective treatment to clear up her problems.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.