Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Support Group

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a progressive, genetic disorder of the kidneys. It occurs in humans and other organisms. PKD is characterised by the presence of multiple cysts (polycystic) in both kidneys. The disease can also damage the liver, pancreas and rarely the heart and brain.

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enigmaticloner 02/11/2016

I've been having more pain in my knees and shoulders lately it seems and I've heard that PKD can be a cause of it. Does anyone else have this same problem? It's making walking up and down stairs(which I have to do pretty often) a bit painful for me.

Chewitt 02/12/2016

Hi there,

If your kidney function is good, the PKD itself should not affect your joints. There could be many causes of joint pain unrelated to the kidneys.

enigmaticloner 02/12/2016

Yea my kidney function is fine based on what my nephrologist said. I'm trying to figure out what the cause is, as it's quite bothersome at times. I've read on various sites that joint pain is a symptom of PKD which is what made me curious to ask other people with it as well.

lovemyfive 02/13/2016

I have bothersome joint pain in the past 6 months. I spoke to my neph about it this week. She's going to run some tests to rule out anything else. My worst pain is my shoulder and also my foot. My GFR is 115.

lovemyfive 02/13/2016

I asked the exact same question in a post called 'fluid retention? 'On January 20. I didn't get any replies on the joint pain.

lovemyfive 02/13/2016

Sorry. I apologize. I meant to say only 1 reply.

Chewitt 02/14/2016

Joint pain can occur in the late stages of kidney disease. It can result from an imbalance of minerals (phosphorous, calcium) or gout can develop from a build up or uric acid crystals in the joints. This only happens in late stage kidney disease, not when the kidneys are working well. PKD itself does not affect joints; it's poor kidney function that can do this.

Joints can be affected by many other factors, regardless of PKD: arthritis, being over weight, vitamin D or calcium deficiency, wear and tear, injury, too much exercise, lack of exercise and a whole host of other diseases.

Lovemyfire: the pain in the shoulder and foot are probably unrelated. My foot pain stems from fused bones and is greatly hepled by corrective insoles. My shoulder pain is from other causes and my knee pain has yet another cause. None of this is PKD related apart from the pain stemming from postural issues, which result from carrying around huge organs year after year. We can't always blame PKD for everything.

enigmaticloner 02/14/2016

Well once again I'm just trying to find out the cause of all the pain. It seems to be getting worse more recently, I suppose it can be arthritis then. I don't know all the reasons for joint pain. I do know however that it's affecting my ability to walk well though.

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