Arthritis is a word that is used to describe pain or discomfort in joints. It is a general name covering all types of arthritis. Sometimes using the term 'arthritis' can be a problem because it means that many people will fail to understand the differences between various types of arthritis. This can often be difficult if you have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and you are told 'It’s just a touch of arthritis - you will get over it'. In my experience those comments can be destructive to the person newly diagnosed and struggling to understand and cope with their condition. It is important you understand the type of arthritis you have and learn how to manage the problems you might experience. 

An additional disadvantage of the view that joint pain is ' just a bit of arthritis' or 'wear and tear and a consequence of ‘ old age' is that some people may fail to see their doctor, assuming there is nothing that can be done. There is always something that can be done to help whatever type of arthritis you have been told you have. For instance, understanding your condition and how to manage various and learning how to manage pain can have a positive impact on how you cope with daily life. For more information see the sections on this website called: Managing Pain and How to Manage Arthritis and Why See a Nurse

If you have joint pains that you think may be arthritis and you have not seen a doctor about your pain it might be helpful to do this so you can get a clear understanding of the problems you have. The boxes above set out above are the names of some types of arthritis. If you have arthritis and would like extra advice and support you might find some of the information on this website is helpful. The Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) can provide excellent information on all types of arthritis. For additional information on various types of arthritis (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis is one type of arthritis). Refer to the links as well as specific patient support groups set out above
(www.arthritisresearchuk.org)

 

 

Last updated October 2020