Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is when your joints become painful and swollen. A joint is where two bones meet, like your knee or elbow. Millions of people in the UK have arthritis - it's very common and can affect anyone, even children.

The two main types

Osteoarthritis is the most common type. It usually starts after age 45 and is more common in women. It happens when the smooth coating inside your joints (called cartilage) starts to wear away. This makes your joints stiff and painful to move.

Think of cartilage like the smooth surface on an ice rink. When it gets rough and worn down, movement becomes harder. Your body tries to fix this by growing extra bits of bone, but this can make things worse.

Rheumatoid arthritis is less common but more serious. It usually starts between ages 30-50, and women are more likely to get it. With this type, your body's defence system (immune system) attacks your own joints by mistake. This causes pain, swelling, and can damage other parts of your body too.

Common symptoms to watch for

• Joint pain and stiffness
• Swelling around joints
• Joints feeling warm and looking red
• Finding it hard to move joints normally
• Muscles feeling weak

The symptoms depend on which type of arthritis you have, so it's important to speak to your GP for proper checks.

Arthritis in children

Children can get arthritis too, though it's less common. The main type in children is called juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This causes joint pain and swelling that lasts at least 6 weeks.

The good news is that children's arthritis symptoms often get better as they grow up, and many can live completely normal lives.

When to see your GP

Speak to your GP if you have:

• Joint pain that doesn't go away
• Joints that are swollen, stiff, or hard to move
• Joint pain that's getting worse
• Joint pain along with feeling generally unwell

See your GP urgently if you have:

• Sudden, severe joint pain
• A joint that's very hot, red, and swollen
• Joint pain with a high temperature (38°C or above)
• Joint problems with a rash or feeling very unwell

Getting help

There's no cure for arthritis, but many treatments can help manage the pain and slow it down. These might include:

• Medicines to reduce pain and swelling
• Physiotherapy to keep joints moving
• Sometimes surgery if joints are badly damaged

You might be able to refer yourself directly to NHS physiotherapy services without seeing your GP first - ask at your local practice.

The charity Versus Arthritis offers free support and information. You can call their helpline on 0800 5200 520 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm).

Remember

Arthritis affects everyone differently. What works for one person might not work for another. The most important thing is to speak to your GP about your symptoms so you can get the right help and treatment for your situation.

Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.