Which joints are commonly affected by arthralgia in menopausal women?

Which joints are commonly affected by arthralgia in menopausal women?

• A. Elbows and ankles
• B. Shoulders and wrists
• C. Knees and hands
• D. Hips and neck

Answer: (C)

Joint pains in menopause often reflect hormonal changes that affect connective tissue and pain perception. The knees are a major weight‑bearing joint and are very commonly affected by osteoarthritis and related arthralgia as women age, so knee pain is a typical feature. The hands also frequently report arthralgia in menopausal women, with pain in the finger joints and surrounding hand joints, likely from a combination of degenerative changes and hormonal influences on connective tissue. This pattern—knees plus hands—is more typical than involvement limited to other joints like the elbows, ankles, shoulders, wrists, hips, or neck.

Joint pains in menopause often reflect hormonal changes that affect connective tissue and pain perception. The knees are a major weight‑bearing joint and are very commonly affected by osteoarthritis and related arthralgia as women age, so knee pain is a typical feature. The hands also frequently report arthralgia in menopausal women, with pain in the finger joints and surrounding hand joints, likely from a combination of degenerative changes and hormonal influences on connective tissue. This pattern—knees plus hands—is more typical than involvement limited to other joints like the elbows, ankles, shoulders, wrists, hips, or neck.