8. Joint Discomfort: PAN’s Pervasive Pain
Joint pain and discomfort are common complaints as we age, but when associated with PAN, they’re indicative of deeper inflammatory processes. Unlike typical joint pain which might be due to wear and tear, PAN-related joint discomfort emerges from the inflammation of blood vessels supplying the joints.
Initially, the discomfort can be subtle. A mild stiffness in the morning or a slight ache after prolonged activity. But as PAN progresses, this discomfort can evolve into persistent pain that affects multiple joints, hindering movement and impacting daily life.
The joints affected can provide clues about the extent of PAN. Larger joints like the knees and hips may be involved, but so might smaller ones like the fingers and wrists. This widespread joint involvement underscores the systemic nature of PAN.(8)
