Carly Simon reveals the common condition that masked her Parkinson’s diagnosis
Singer Carly Simon has revealed that her Parkinson's disease was initially misdiagnosed as arthritis, drawing attention to how symptoms of the two conditions can overlap, particularly in the early stages. The 80-year-old musician, best known for hits including "You're So Vain", said her mobility problems were first attributed to joint issues rather than a neurological condition, delaying her correct diagnosis.
Simon said her health problems began with arthritis in both knees and one hip, which led to all three joints being replaced. She initially believed her walking difficulties were simply part of a lengthy recovery, but as her condition worsened to the point where she sometimes could not walk without significant assistance, she and her family sought further investigation. A thorough evaluation at the Mayo Clinic ultimately confirmed she had Parkinson's disease.
- Carly Simon's Parkinson's was first mistaken for arthritis
- She had three joint replacements before proper diagnosis
- Mayo Clinic evaluation confirmed Parkinson's after mobility worsened