Question
I've had these symptoms for about a month-swollen hands and pain in my hands and other joints.  I've been to the doctor several times and have had these tests:  hematology, antibody, sed rate, test for viral infection, c-reactive protein, test for rhumatoid arthritis and hand x-rays.  All have come back negative/normal.  My doctor still thinks I have some type of arthritis.  What type could this be?  Also, I've been on prednisone for the past few weeks.  This has reduced the swelling and relieved the pain.
Thanks for the help.

Nikki

Answer
Nikki,

Sorry to hear about this condition. First of all you need to ask your doctor for a referral to a rheumatologist. A rhuematologist is better equipped to give you an accurate diagnosis. You doctor has done well so far and run many of the right test. With conditions like these many times you spend time ruling out conditions before you can get to a diagnosis.

I would like to help point you in the right direction but I need some more information.

Did the doctor perform a uric acid test?
Do you have any rashes near soar joints especially you hands.
Any fevers.

This type of swelling is unusual in most types of arthritis especially if the hand x-rays were normal. There are several things it could be, the next thing to rule out is gout. Gout can cause significant swelling in hands with no detectable results on x-rays.

There are soft tissue (cartilage) conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

There are other test that should be run. A MRI would tell more than a simple x-ray.

Here are two links for your information. They are not meant to offer a diagnosis but to compare you symptoms too. Also this website is the largest arthritis website you can use the search feature to help find information.

Uric acid test http://arthritis-symptom.com/Gout-Symptoms/uric-acid.htm

Gout   http://arthritis-symptom.com/Gout-Symptoms/gout-diagnosis.htm

I wish you good health.

Rusty