Ellen Oakton
I'm a 48-year-old woman with lax ligaments around my knees (collateral), very flat feet (since birth), and painful wrists and hands whose connective tissue or joints (?) makes a snapping sound, as do those of my feet. Recently I've noticed a few tiny scratches on my skin but cannot remember injuring myself. The scars are very fine and not bloody. I feel worst in the morning. When I get out of bed, I pop and crackle like a bowl of Rice Krispies and am in quite a bit of diffuse, burning pain throughout my body. This all seemed to begin last October, after a sinus infection. But when I was very young, I used to have what's called "nursemaid's elbow" - a great deal of pain if I overused that arm. This only happened once or twice. After that, I had no skin abnormalities or noticeable joint looseness. I've just finished a month of PT to strengthen my quadriceps and calf muscles and am able to walk better, although some knee pain and instability is still there. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'd appreciate any comments you have.