Not sure if this is a PsA issue or an FM issue. I have been having a lot of pain in my elbows and knees. The reason I'm not sure is because the pain seems to be in the muscles and/or tendons.
Anyway, my question is: has anyone tried a brace or some other means of pressure to ease the pain? If you have, does it help and what did you use?
I use supports and braces primarily to rest a joint. That said, I also use physical therapy as part of my approach. I’ll get a scrip for pt when something has become an issue, and it’s typically both sides. Right now I’m scheduled to see the doctor next week about my shoulders and hopefully start therapy to help me out.
I’m a frequent flyer at the pt office. It’s been almost two years since I’ve been in and that’s nearly forever!
Most of my PsA pain seemed or actually was in my tendons and muscles. My muscles would get very sore from very little exertion. My rheumy said that's the way PsA affects me. Since I've been on Enbrel, there's been about 80% improvement in that.
I find at different times a brace/splint can be very helpful either, as Stoney says, to rest a joint or to prevent a movement which causes another problem. A good example of this for me is wearing a splinted elbow support every night on my left elbow to prevent cubital tunnel symptoms.
I have wrists splints as well which I don't seem to need very much at the moment, thankfully. Been wondering myself about knee support options as I've got walking problems ... going to discuss with my physio tomorrow at hydrotherapy.
So I think, yes, they can be very helpful but I'd be reluctant to 'self-prescribe' as there are different types and those with metal splints can be bent/adjusted specific to your needs/joints and for this you need a physio ... so I view them as part of my overall pt.
I only get PsA in my joints in a very big flare - the rest of the time (during which I call it well controlled), it is in my tendons and insertion points (enthesitis). For me, the way to best manage that has been deliberate, controlled exercise (including pt like stoney) and heat and ice. As FM is a different process, you may find that if it eases with the heat - gentle exercise - ice sequence it may be tendon inflammation.