Contents
What is Scleroderma and How Does it Affect Joint Pain?
Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease caused by an overproduction of collagen. It can lead to changes in the skin and other diseases that are usually localized to a single body system, as well as medical conditions that affect multiple body systems. One of the many medical conditions that scleroderma can cause is joint pain.
What Causes Joint Pain in Scleroderma?
Joint pain in scleroderma can be caused by inflammation of the joints or by deformities or stiffness in the joints due to collagen overproduction. In some cases, scleroderma patients may experience difficulty in bending or straightening the affected joints. It can also cause pain due to joint damage due to scleroderma.
How Can Joint Pain in Scleroderma be Treated?
Treating joint pain in scleroderma can involve a combination of medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and corticosteroids. Physical therapy can also play an important role in managing joint pain in scleroderma. Heat and cold applications, range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening exercises are commonly used to help manage the pain, restore mobility, and maintain joint flexibility.
How Can Scleroderma Affect Overall Health?
Scleroderma can severely affect overall health and wellbeing. It can cause fatigue, difficulty in performing daily tasks, and difficulty with mobility. Joint pain associated with scleroderma can also lead to depression due to feelings of limited mobility and lack of control. It’s important to manage joint pain and maintain a proper diet and regular exercise regime, as this can help to reduce the severity of the scleroderma symptoms and ensure overall good health.
Keywords: scleroderma, joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, NSAIDs, DMARDs, corticosteroids, physical therapy, heat, cold, range-of-motion, strengthening, overall health, mobility, depression.
