Lifelong cracking joints, aching and stiffness... could this have something to do with being autistic?

Hello everyone.

I have over-pronounced [flat] feet which I understand is common within the autistic community. I have had these my whole life. I went for regular physiotherapy as a child but this treatment started to phase out during my adolescence. I only learned about its association with autism after my diagnosis a few years ago when researching the community. So this got me thinking about other lifelong ‘physical’ issues of mine. In this case, the cracking joints, aching and stiffness that I have experienced for as long as I can remember. I have always struggled with sports because of it, as well as daily tasks. Whilst it has not stopped me from having a go, I often feel that my performance is not all that it could be which can be disappointing. I have always found stairs painful and feel older than my years [I am currently in my twenties]. Now that I am a member of this forum, I wanted to take the opportunity to see if there is anyone else on here with similar problems. It could be that I am entitled to support that I am not getting at the moment because I have not explored it enough. If so, what is the name of the condition and should I see my general physician about it for an official diagnosis?

Something else to note: During my adolescence, I visited my general physician for a blood test as I thought it might be a calcium issue. I thought this because I stopped drinking milk from about age ten because I did not like the texture. I have always liked other diary products such as yogurt and cheese though, which I hoped would make up for the absence of plain milk. At the time, my results showed that my levels were normal. Yogurt and cheese have remained a staple part of my diet ever since; so I hope my levels are still normal [ten years on] and therefore not relevant in this post. But still, I thought it was worth mentioning regardless.

Thank you.

Parents
  • Yes I've always had similar joint issues I was actually born with a knee deformity and defects in both knees requiring major surgery.

    I have read somewhere online it is common for those with autism to have other physical conditions

    I have always had clicking in both knees getting up sitting down

    I would check with your gp everything out to check what it might be if you don't find an official diagnosis for it then it may be fibromyialgia

    best wishes let us know how you get on

    I also have benign muscle facination syndrome where my muscles randomly twitch in the body

Reply
  • Yes I've always had similar joint issues I was actually born with a knee deformity and defects in both knees requiring major surgery.

    I have read somewhere online it is common for those with autism to have other physical conditions

    I have always had clicking in both knees getting up sitting down

    I would check with your gp everything out to check what it might be if you don't find an official diagnosis for it then it may be fibromyialgia

    best wishes let us know how you get on

    I also have benign muscle facination syndrome where my muscles randomly twitch in the body

Children
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