my arthritis took 5 years before it showed up on an x-ray. my one hand hurt despite no proof and the doctor gave me meloxicam 15 mg tab to take because i also have arthritis in my left knee. (i take it at night only. ) x-rays don't necessarily work to the depth we expect them to in my opinion. but my doctor knows this.
i have pain stiffnes and weakness in hands and fingers. x-ray did not show inflamationn or degnerative arthritis. i am 56 yr old female. my hands and all fingers are very stiff all the time and very painfull when not in use. if i do not keep them moving they become very stiff in a few minutes. i have been taking celebrex which helps but i want to know what is wrong with them. i had carpel tunnel surgery 2 years ago in my left hand and 15 yrs ago in my right. . x-ray taken 2 weeks ago states no inflammatory or degenerative arthritis. will arthritis always show on x-ray? what is my next step?