What is It?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition similar to arthritis but is not considered a form of arthritis. This condition causes widespread pain, fatigue, tenderness and other conditions such as cognitive, memory, and digestive problems. At HROSM, we take this pain seriously and work with each individual patient to help them find relief from their pain.
It is estimated that there are more than 5 million adults are affected by the condition in the United States, with an estimated 80 to 90 percent of fibromyalgia patients being women. Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus patients are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Studies show that stressors related to physical abuse and trauma seem to be shared among a large percentage of patients.
Symptoms often begin following an accident or other physical trauma, surgery, infection, or a significant psychological stress event. In other cases, symptoms seem to build over time. Research suggests that fibromyalgia amplifies pain sensations by how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals from the body.
Co-Existent Conditions
Fibromyalgia is commonly found to coexist with the following conditions:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Migraine headaches
- Interstitial cystitis
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
Symptoms and Signs of Fibromyalgia
There are several common symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia, including:
- Widespread musculoskeletal pain and stiffness
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Problems thinking or concentrating
- Anxiety and depression
- Migraine Headaches
How Can an Orthopedic Doctor Help?
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat, and the various symptoms can be debilitating for the patient. An orthopaedic doctor is a good choice because they are experienced with conditions and diseases that involve the joints. Since it has been shown that exercise can help alleviate some of the symptoms, an orthopaedic doctor can help form a physical therapy plan to help. Orthopaedic doctors can also help with the diagnosis by ruling out other conditions and diseases that cause similar symptoms. Many fibromyalgia patients have other orthopaedic conditions whose pain is intensified by fibromyalgia, such as arthritis and chondromalacia,
If you have been experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia, contact your HROSM orthopaedic specialist at (757) 873-1554 for further steps to take to address your pain.
