I'm 39 yrs. old now, but I started feeling pain in my joints [knees and ankles] when I was very young. As I grow older, the swelling includes my fingers and wrest. When I was in college, my joints in ankles, knees, wrest and finger were inflamed. I can't even walk and use the toilet by myself. My parents could not send me to a doctor because medication is not included in the budget and is very expensive. When I start working, its my neck that is inflamed. Finally I had the chance to see a doctor. It was seen in my x-ray that I had spurs in my cervical spine 3,4 and 5, that's why my hands sometimes are weak and numb. 4 yrs ago, my doctor asked me to undergo MRI, but until now I did not do it because it cost a lot. thanks to this website, I learn more about my condition.