Musculoskeletal pain is usually associated with overexertion or accidental injuries involving slips and falls, car collisions, or sports activities. In many cases, however, disease conditions can be the root cause of muscle or bone pain. During the current COVID pandemic, this became abundantly clear.
Fortunately for those suffering musculoskeletal pain due to either injuries or chronic illness, the experienced physiatrists at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine are well-prepared to diagnose and treat the pain and dysfunction of both. Let’s explore some of the chronic illnesses that may give rise to musculoskeletal pain.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
This disorder is rare but typically occurs after a viral or bacterial infection. GBS involves a malfunction of the immune system, and because the illness causes nerve damage, patients suffer muscle weakness and pain in their limbs, in addition to other symptoms, including tingling sensations in their extremities.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs as a part of the aging process during which cartilage, the tissue that acts as a cushion between bones, wears away. This results in bone-on-bone contact that can be very painful. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body but is most common in the hands, hips, knees, and spinal column.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects 1.5 million people in the United States. An autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, it can affect a broad range of bodily systems, but primarily affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and immobility.
Myositis
Myositis is a muscle inflammation that may occur after an injury or infection or due to an immune disease. Patients with myositis have damaged muscle fibers that may cause muscle weakness and pain.
Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
There are more than 30 types of muscular dystrophy; all are genetic conditions. Each type has distinguishing characteristics, but all involve deterioration of skeletal muscles that results in muscle weakness, pain, and eventual loss of muscle control. The most common type of MD is
Duchenne MD.2, which occurs primarily in males.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a rather mysterious condition in which patients experience widespread musculoskeletal pain as well as extreme fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and mood and memory problems. Researchers now believe that fibromyalgia amplifies pain signals as they are delivered by the spinal cord and processed by the brain.
Lupus
Lupus is a serious autoimmune disease in which inflammation can wreak havoc on all systems of the body. One of the troubling symptoms of lupus is pain in the joints.
Myofascial pain syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition that causes pressure on sensitive points in the muscles known as “trigger points.” The pain generated may be felt at the trigger points but may also be experienced as referred pain in other parts of the body.
Treatments L.I. Spine Uses for Musculoskeletal Pain, Whatever Its Cause
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physiatrists are well-trained to relieve musculoskeletal pain, whatever its cause, and to restore mobility and function. We frequently administer a combination of minimally invasive treatments to achieve maximum results. Because we take a holistic approach to medicine, we use complementary as well as traditional therapies, including:
- Customized physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Steroid injections to relieve pain and inflammation directly at the source
- Platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP)
- PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy
We have helped myriad patients feel less pain and move more easily in spite of their chronic diseases and we look forward to helping you.
Contact Our Experienced Experts in Musculoskeletal Pain Now
Our doctors are well aware that chronic musculoskeletal pain can cause depression and a sense of hopelessness, but we can help you fight for the sense of well-being you deserve. Take a big step forward by contacting our skilled, empathic professionals today.