Can arthritis cause muscle soreness and weakness?
I always thought it was restricted to sore, aching bones. A: Although joint pain is often the primary symptom of arthritis, muscles next to the affected joint certainly can be a source of pain. Because arthritis can restrict movement of the joints, the muscles that support the joints are not able to fully stretch and contract. As a consequence, they often become weakened and withered — a condition called atrophy. Weakened muscles are more susceptible to injuries, such as sprains. A good example is the atrophy that occurs in the quadriceps muscle on top of the thigh. Within three weeks after a knee problem develops, weakness and withering can be seen in the quadriceps. This weakness, if not corrected, can lead to more pain and accelerate damage to the involved knee. Properly performing non-weight bearing exercises [- that is, exercises in which the body’s weight are not borne by the legs — for the quadriceps is important to reduce this source of pain and deterioration. PAUL F. HOWARD,
