“From a patient perspective, the joint pain can feel like accelerated aging, stiffness, swelling, and deep aching, especially in the knees, hips, and hands — any joint really,” says August. “It can limit mobility and make simple activities feel exhausting and painful.”
Getting treated for acromegaly is the most important starting point in managing joint pain, says Atil Kargi, MD, an endocrinologist specializing in acromegaly at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Kargi also recommends physical therapy and standard pain medications like ibuprofen. But be sure to check with your healthcare provider before you try any new over-the-counter medication.
You may be able to reverse some joint changes if you can lower IGF-1 levels early in the course of the disease, says Dr. Balasubramanian. But if changes become permanent, you can ask about steroid or gel injections, she says. “In severe cases, joint replacement might be needed.”
Apart from medical treatments, August has found these tips have helped her and others with acromegaly joint pain:
- Gentle, consistent, non-weight-bearing movement, like cycling and stretching
- Strength training to support joints when possible
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition choices
- Listening to your body instead of pushing through pain
“Most importantly, I’d say: Don’t normalize the pain,” says August, who urges people with acromegaly joint pain to advocate for imaging, exploration, and treatment options.
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