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Suffering From Lower Back Stiffness And Neck Pain. RA Factor Is Negative. What Could It Be?

Posted on Wed, 30 Oct 2013

Question: i am suffering from lower back stiffness and neck pain since 7 months stiffness comes and goes with my activities, some amount of stiffness is in the morning my ra factor is negative but esr is 32 what problem do you think i would have

Answered by Dr. Rahul D Chaudhari (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need more investigations

Detailed Answer:
Morning stiffness in the back may be due to either inflammatory spondylitis or disc degeneration due to our activities. RA factor comes negative most of the patients. I would suggest to consult an orthopaedic doctor get a thorough exam. It may be due to sacroiliac joint inflammation. Please get the MRI spine and SI joint which will definitely indicate the reason for the stiffness. Also get HLA B 27 blood test and CRP level. ESR 32 may not be of that significance if other parameters are negative. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rahul D Chaudhari (3 minutes later)

sorry i forgot to mention about crp earlier. I had undergone crp as well which was also negative, spine xrays have been done they are also normal. Now what do you suggest

Answered by Dr. Rahul D Chaudhari (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
consider doing MRI lumbar spine with SI joint

Detailed Answer:
Either it is disc related problem or sacroiliac joint inflammation. Please get the MRI of the spine with SI joint. Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D