Is my sore joint Arthritis?

There are many different reasons why your joints may be sore. Not all pain in muscles and joints is caused by arthritis. It could be from an injury or using your joints and muscles in an unusual way (for example, playing a new sport or lifting heavy boxes). Talk to your doctor if you have pain and stiffness that:

• Starts for no clear reason
• Lasts for more than a few days
• Comes on with swelling, redness and warmth of your joints

How can I find out if I have Arthritis?

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of arthritis. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints. They may do some tests or x-rays, but these can be normal in the early stages of arthritis. It may take several visits before your doctor can tell what type of arthritis you have. This is because some types of arthritis can be hard to diagnose in the early stages. Your doctor may also send you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specialises in arthritis, for more tests.

Is there a cure for Arthritis?

Currently there is no cure for most types of arthritis. While there are treatments that can effectively control symptoms, you should be wary of any products or treatments that claim to cure arthritis.

Can Arthritis be treated?

Many types of arthritis can be easily and effectively controlled by modern treatment. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can ease symptoms and may even prevent damage to your joints. Research has led to great improvements in this area. Because arthritis affects people in different ways, treatment has to be tailored to the needs of each person. It is important to work with your healthcare team to find treatments that suit you.

What is the aim of treatment?

There is no cure for arthritis. The goals of treatment are to get rid of joint pain and prevent permanent joint damage.

How is Arthritis treated?

Treatment depends on the type of arthritis.

Medications: pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, disease modifying drugs.

Lifestyle changes: exercise, weight management.

Surgery: joint repair or replacement.

Other Therapies: heat/cold, splints, massage, relaxation, dry needling.

Who can help?

A range of healthcare professionals may be involved in helping you manage your arthritis:

• GP
• Rheumatologist
• Physiotherapist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
• Dietician
• Pharmacologist
• Psychologist
• Podiatrist
• Dentist

What are the most common symptoms of Arthritis?

ME/CFS affects people of all ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. 75-80% of people with the condition are female. Around 25% of people with ME/CFS experience severe symptoms, leaving them housebound or bedbound.

While estimates of how many people have ME/CFS vary, it is thought that around 0.4-1% of the population is affected. This means that up to 250,000 Australians have the condition.

Depending on the type of arthritis, signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased range of motion

Other Symptoms may Include:

• Skin changes: Skin rashes, dry mouth, or hair loss
• Fever: A high temperature or low-grade fever
• Eye inflammation
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Sweating

What is the difference between non-inflammatory and inflammatory arthritis?

Most, types of arthritis are placed into two main categories, non-inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

Non-inflammatory arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain and stiffness, but doesn’t involve the entire body. The most common type of non-inflammatory arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative arthritis.

Inflammatory arthritis is joint inflammation caused by an overactive immune system. Inflammatory arthritis often begins in other soft tissues that line the joint. In some types of inflammatory arthritis, there is inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the skin, lungs, blood vessels or eyes.

The major types of inflammatory arthritis include: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Gout, Ankylosing Spondylitis.

 How is Arthritis diagnosed?

Arthritis is diagnosed through a physical exam, medical history review and sometimes imaging and blood tests.

You might need to see a specialist. Rheumatologists are specialists in arthritis and diseases that involve bones, muscles and joints. They are trained to make difficult diagnoses and to treat all types of arthritis, especially those requiring complex treatment.

What can I do?

The good news is that there are many simple things you can do to live well with arthritis:

• Find out what type of arthritis is affecting you and learn about your treatment options
• Stay active: keep your joints moving and your muscles strong
• Learn ways to manage pain: there are many things you can do to help you cope with pain
• Manage tiredness: learn to balance rest and your normal activities
• Keep to a healthy weight: there is no diet that can cure arthritis but a well balanced diet is best for your general health
• Look after and protect your joints: find out about equipment and gadgets that can make tasks easier
• Acknowledge your feelings and seek support: as there is currently no cure for arthritis it is natural to feel scared, frustrated, sad and sometimes angry. Be aware of these feelings and get help if they start affecting your daily life