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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Be Causing My Year-long Joint Pains, Stiffness, Numbness, And Fatigue With ANA Positive, And MRI Showing L4-5 Disc Degeneration?

wrist pain alternating between both wrists, lower back pain, knee pains resembling bruising above the knees and sometimes bruise like pain in the thighs and sharp hip pain all the way to the foot (like a pulled string feeling) - most are often after overuse (phone, walking, sleeping wrong). They don’t always happen at once but sometimes all together. Other discomforts involve stabbing pain inside the foot from under when walking for too long, finger joint pains usually worse the second day after overuse and shoulder and elbow pains after sleeping slightly wrong or overuse. Occasional Tingling/numbness in fingers (I can’t feel my fingers for a few seconds sometimes) and most often stiffness in finger joints occur in the mornings. Occasionally, affected areas exhibit slight redness and warmth. Recently I’ve found that stretching the pained areas helps a lot. General tiredness persists. These symptoms have persisted for nearly a year, fluctuating in severity. There haven t been any major accidents. Tests * anti ds dna is negative * HLA-B27 is negative * Ana is positive — * RF factor negative. * Knee X-Ray shows some cartilage thinning * MRI done: report says Signal loss due to degeneration was observed in the L4-5 disc * vitamin d3 at 28
posted on Mon, 25 Mar 2024
Twitter Fri, 10 Oct 2025 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 31 Oct 2025 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

You have low Vitamin D. Tingling, numbness and shooting pain down the leg is indicative of nerve irritation. Cartilage thinning in knees associated with your symptoms after “overuse” suggests early degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.

The foot pain, “pulled string” feeling, and numbness you mentioned can be due to nerve-related pain from the spine. L4-L5 disc degeneration causes compression and/or irritation in the sciatic nerve. Avoid prolonged sitting or bending. Use a firm mattress, as lumbar support is helpful. Get connected to a physical therapist, physiotherapy, posture correction will relieve symptoms.

A positive ANA (antinuclear antibody) means your immune system is reacting against your own cells. You may be suffering from a mild autoimmune connective tissue disease or Early lupus (SLE). Get clinically examined by a GP, and get ENA panel tests and thyroid antibodies (TPO, TgAb) done to help narrow the diagnosis. You may be referred to a rheumatologist. Get your vitamin D deficiency treated. Also take balanced diet with calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Do stretching exercises. Physiotherapy for lumbar and cervical support will be helpful. Autoimmune activity (ANA positive), vitamin D deficiency, and mechanical nerve compression from L4-L5 degeneration are contributing to your symptoms.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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What Could Be Causing My Year-long Joint Pains, Stiffness, Numbness, And Fatigue With ANA Positive, And MRI Showing L4-5 Disc Degeneration?

Hello, You have low Vitamin D. Tingling, numbness and shooting pain down the leg is indicative of nerve irritation. Cartilage thinning in knees associated with your symptoms after “overuse” suggests early degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. The foot pain, “pulled string” feeling, and numbness you mentioned can be due to nerve-related pain from the spine. L4-L5 disc degeneration causes compression and/or irritation in the sciatic nerve. Avoid prolonged sitting or bending. Use a firm mattress, as lumbar support is helpful. Get connected to a physical therapist, physiotherapy, posture correction will relieve symptoms. A positive ANA (antinuclear antibody) means your immune system is reacting against your own cells. You may be suffering from a mild autoimmune connective tissue disease or Early lupus (SLE). Get clinically examined by a GP, and get ENA panel tests and thyroid antibodies (TPO, TgAb) done to help narrow the diagnosis. You may be referred to a rheumatologist. Get your vitamin D deficiency treated. Also take balanced diet with calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. Do stretching exercises. Physiotherapy for lumbar and cervical support will be helpful. Autoimmune activity (ANA positive), vitamin D deficiency, and mechanical nerve compression from L4-L5 degeneration are contributing to your symptoms. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician