Receiving an arthritis diagnosis can be worrying and you’re likely to have many questions about your condition and how you will manage it going forward. Your GP or orthopaedic surgeon should be your first port of call as they will be able to answer specific questions relating to the type of arthritis you have, its severity, and any comorbidities (the simultaneous presence of other diseases), as well as advising you on how to manage your symptoms and working with you to develop a treatment plan.
It can be helpful to understand as much as you can about your condition, so reading blogs like this one, as well as consulting reputable online resources such as the NHS, Mayo Clinic or Versus Arthritis, may give you useful general information about arthritis.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is the umbrella term given to many different conditions that cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of function. Estimates suggest around 10 million people in the UK have some form of arthritis.
The most common type – osteoarthritis – is a degenerative disease. Although it cannot be cured, there are many effective treatments that can slow the disease and provide effective relief from symptoms.
Receiving a diagnosis early on offers the best chance of understanding and managing your symptoms and experiencing better long-term outcomes.
Understanding what happens with arthritis
Your joints are where two or more bones come together – in your shoulders, hip, knee, ankle, fingers and toes. The ends of the bones are covered with a tough, slippery tissue called cartilage which helps the bones to glide smoothly over one another as you move. Synovial fluid lubricates the joint.
In osteoarthritis, which affects around 8.75 million people in the UK, the cartilage may lose its smooth consistency and become rough. The synovial fluid may start to thicken and the joint capsule may stretch and become misshapen. Sometimes bony spurs can develop at the ends of the bones, making it harder for the joint to move normally. As the joint becomes more damaged, pain and stiffness may increase.
The main types of arthritis
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is linked to wear and tear on the joints, typically due to ageing or previous injury. The condition usually affects people over the age of 45, especially women, and the risks are increased if you are overweight as this places weight-bearing joints under additional strain.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, including the joints. This results in inflammation and the build-up of extra fluid in the joint, causing it to become swollen and restricting movement. These symptoms may be accompanied by fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell. It can affect adults of any age but most commonly begins between the ages of 40 and 60 and is more prevalent in women.
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects the big toe but can occur in other joints in the body, too. It is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body, which can be linked to being overweight or eating and drinking certain types of food and alcoholic drinks. Too much uric acid can cause crystals to form in and around the joint which may become hot and painful, with shiny red skin that may peel.
Other types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and spondyloarthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis
The symptoms may vary according to the type of arthritis you have, how severe it is and how you are feeling overall. Common symptoms to look out for include persistent stiffness and joint pain, loss of movement and flexibility in the joint, swelling and deformity, heat or tenderness around the affected area, and problems doing everyday activities like going upstairs or walking.
Managing arthritis
There are many effective treatments for managing the impact of arthritis. In the early stages, you may find sufficient relief from taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories as well as appropriate physiotherapy exercises. However, as the condition develops, you may need more intensive treatment, which can range from pain-killing injections of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid or Athrosamid into the joint, through to keyhole or joint-replacement surgery for the most severe joint pain.
Exercising is a good idea no matter what stage you are at because it strengthens your muscles which means they can support your joints more effectively and it helps keep you supple and flexible. A physiotherapist can recommend a tailored programme of exercise to help you maintain movement in the damaged joint. You may also benefit from seeing an occupational therapist who can assist with suggesting practical solutions to the everyday challenges caused by your condition.
Three top tips
One of the questions we get asked most often as orthopaedic surgeons is “what does the future hold?” Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty, however, the good news is that by understanding as much as you can about the condition and what you can do to manage it – both through making adaptations to your life, such as exercising more, and through receiving medical support – you stand the best chance of maintaining a good quality of life. The three most important pieces of advice we offer to anyone who has, or suspects they might have, arthritis are:
- Get diagnosed as early as you can.
- Stay as physically fit and active as possible.
- Talk to your doctor about the treatment options and, if your symptoms worsen, discuss what else might be available to help.
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