Arthritis

Arthritis is the name for a group of conditions affecting the joints which are where 2 or more bones meet, such as knees. This usually results in pain and stiffness. Arthritis can affects many parts of the joint and nearly every joint in the body.

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis-related conditions, each affecting you and your joints in different ways.

Anyone can get arthritis, including children and young people. In Australia one in 7 people have arthritis with 2 in 7 being between 15 and 60 years old.

• Pain
• Stiffness or reduced movement of a joint
• Swelling in a joint
• Redness and warmth in a joint
• General symptoms such as tiredness, weight loss or feeling unwell.

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms. As well as taking a patient history and examining you, they may refer you for tests or x-rays.

However, it may take several visits before your doctor can tell you if you have arthritis and what kind. Some types of arthritis are difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Your doctor may also send you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specialises in arthritis, for more tests.

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

Many types of arthritis can usually be effectively managed by modern treatment. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can ease symptoms and may minimise damage to your joints. Treatment has to be tailored to the need of each person and the particular type of arthritis.