Receiving a diagnosis of arthritis can be hard. You are likely to have many questions and concerns about how the condition will impact your life and those closest to you are also likely to be worried and wondering how best to support you.
Sometimes, patients ask us how to talk to the people around them about the fact they’ve got arthritis, what sort of things to tell them or even how to begin the conversation. Here are some tips that can help.
Depending on the sort of person you are, you may find it difficult to have this type of conversation. If you are accustomed to keeping things to yourself and not opening up to other people about your health or things that are worrying you, it can be particularly tough.
Choose the right time
It’s a good idea to choose who you’re going to talk to and when’s the right time to do that. Pick a time when there aren’t other distractions and you can talk without having to rush or deal with interruptions. Choose people that you trust and who you know will be empathetic and supportive. Tell them the basic facts about arthritis (we’ve included some suggestions below) but also, if you can, talk to them about how you’re feeling about having the condition. It can be helpful to have people to confide in when you’re living with a degenerative condition like arthritis, particularly in the latter stages when it may start to impact your quality of life.
Your orthopaedic surgeon
Your orthopaedic surgeon is available to provide information and support with all aspects of your condition, from the initial diagnosis through to advising on the development of the disease and possible treatment options at each stage. Don’t hesitate to ask questions at your appointments. It can be helpful to jot these down beforehand if you think you might forget.
Versus Arthritis
You might want to consider joining a support group where you can talk to other people with arthritis. The charity Versus Arthritis runs groups all over the UK so you should be able to find one in your area. It also offers a confidential telephone helpline that is open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. If you need advice or simply someone to talk to, the helpline is run by a team of friendly, well-informed advisers and can be a good place to start.
Blogging or keeping a journal
Some people find it helpful to post on social media or even blog about their experiences. This can help other people to understand more about the condition but it can also be therapeutic for yourself, allowing you to chart your health journey. Alternatively, keeping a diary or journal can be a good way of exploring your thoughts and feelings without having to share them with other people.
Understanding the basics about arthritis
When it comes to talking to other people about arthritis, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the basics regarding the condition. Here are some key facts:
(1) There are different types of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which is caused by damage to the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones so they can glide smoothly over each other when you move. More than 10 million people in the UK have arthritis, around 8.75 million of whom have osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is the second most common form of the disease, is an autoimmune condition which means the body’s own immune system starts to attack healthy tissue which can cause inflammation in the joints. Other forms of arthritis include ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and gout.
(2) Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling of the affected joints. This can cause loss of mobility, fatigue and a deterioration in quality of life. The knees, hips and hands are most often affected but any joint in the body can develop arthritis.
(3) While many forms of arthritis are degenerative, which means they worsen in time, there are things you can do to slow the development of the disease, ranging from gentle exercise like walking or swimming through to treatments like splinting, painkilling drugs and hydrotherapy. As the condition worsens, you may require surgery. Joint replacement surgery is used to treat the most severe forms of arthritis. Mako robotic arm assisted surgery is at the forefront of treatment for arthritis.
Search our website for detailed articles on Arthritis and Joint Replacement for more information.
A review from a private patient at Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge on iwantgreatcare.org, dated 4 October 2024, talked about his experiences of being treated for arthritis by Andrew Carrothers:
“Andrew has seen me through a very painful period when my right hip started to deteriorate. He operated on me 5 weeks ago with a Mako total hip replacement. The operation has been a total success, the incision has healed up perfectly with very little noticeable scarring. In such a short space of time it is difficult to remember how painful my hip used to be.”
Contact Carrothers Orthopaedics for advice about diagnosing and treating all forms of arthritis.
Talk to an orthopaedic consultant | Cambridge
We are always happy to provide information and guidance about the various treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, including Mako robotic arm assisted surgery and conventional surgery.
For more information, please contact us.
Our consultation fees are clearly presented here.
For your convenience, we offer appointments at both Nuffield Hospital Cambridge and Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital.
