How can I manage joint pain in my ankle and knee which causes me to wake from my sleep?

Doctor's Answer

Thank you for your question - night pain is a really unpleasant experience, especially if it is disrupting your sleep.

As Dr Sean mentions, assessment is important, but there are a few things to consider:

1. How long has it been going on for?

2. It is worsening?

3. Are there any associated symptoms such as tingling, numbness, back pain, swelling or redness to the joint?

4. Was there a specific injury?

5. Have you had any "systemic symptoms" such as a weight loss, night sweats or change in appetite?

I would suggest seeing a GP as the first person to discuss your symptoms with. They might be able to treat this for your or alternatively they might direct, depending on their assessment, you to a:

1. Podiatrist

2. Physiotherapist

3. Sports/Musculoskeletal Physician

4. Rheumatologist

5. Orthopaedic surgeon

Often it is useful to visit a multi-disciplinary clinic such as as Integrated Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Centre as in this setting you will be assessed, investigated and treated appropriately. Since all five specialists are normally available in the same clinic or at least the same institution, it should limit your need to visit many different places. Depending on where you are based, you can often acquire a polyclinic/GP referral to one of these centres.

Hope things improve together with your sleep!

BW
Dr Dinesh

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox