Hydrocephalus & Arthritis

catrina

Hi,
Does anyone know if there's a link betwen hydrocephalus\spina bifida and arthritis?
I was born with hydrocephalus, and have developed arthritis in both hips and just had my left hip replaced. I've also got problems with my shoulders.

My oldest daughter has 'spina bifida occultis' and also has arthritis in her ankles and knees.

Catrina

helpline_team

Dear Catrina,

We do not have any information to say whether or not there is a direct link to arthritis and hydrocephalus\spina bifida, however if you have had walking difficulties during your life due to hydrocephalus then it might have led to the arthritis in your hip due to missalingment or improper gait.

Spina bifida, as I'm sure you are aware, can also cause pain, back pain or leg pain or general weakness in the leg which may have attributed to your daughters arthritis.

If a persons skeleton is slightly misaligned in one area this puts stress on other areas or joints that's causing musculoskeletal pain in different areas or sometimes cause osteoarthritis.

In case there is a direct link a specialist may be able to answer this question better that we can.

Best wishes,

Simona

catrina

Thanks Simona.


XXXXX

Starburst

Hi Catrina,

This topic caught my eye. I was born with a very rare form of spina bifida that causes me absolutely no symptoms. I was wondering, what form of arthritis do you and your daughter have? Mine is inflammatory (Rheumatoid) and I'd be interested to know if there was some connection.

Sophie x

catrina

Starburst wrote:

Hi Catrina,

This topic caught my eye. I was born with a very rare form of spina bifida that causes me absolutely no symptoms. I was wondering, what form of arthritis do you and your daughter have? Mine is inflammatory (Rheumatoid) and I'd be interested to know if there was some connection.

Sophie x

Hi Sophie, We both have osteoarthritis.

Catrina xx