Arthritis

The symptoms of arthritis can be mild, severe or somewhere in between. Specific signs to look out for can vary depending on the type of arthritis, but they often include:

• inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness in and around the joints

• less range of motion at a joint

• warm, red skin over the affected joint

• muscle wasting and weakness

The cause of arthritis isn’t fully understood, but certain factors can increase your risk of developing it, which include:

• family history – some types of arthritis run in the family

• age – arthritis can develop at any age, but the risk of most types increases as you get older

• gender – women are 3 times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men and twice as likely to develop osteoarthritis

• certain health conditions – like lupus, infections, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• past joint injuries – joint injury as a result of sports or an accident increases the chance of arthritis developing at a later stage

• weight – being overweight or obese puts stress and strain on your joints

To diagnose arthritis, a doctor or specialist will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and run you through a physical exam to check your joints. 

To confirm a diagnosis, they may also suggest:

• an X-ray

• blood tests

It’s not always possible to prevent arthritis because some forms happen naturally, while others are triggered by specific health conditions. But you may be able to lower your risk of developing it by:

• not smoking and avoiding tobacco products

• eating a healthy diet and following a low-impact exercise regimen

• wearing proper protective equipment for any activity that could damage your joints

Arthritis in weight-bearing joints can stop you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. If you have severe arthritis in your arms or hands, it may also stop you from living your life as normal. In some cases, your joints may gradually lose their alignment and shape.

Treatment for arthritis aims to manage and reduce symptoms enough to help you live your life as normally as possible.

The treatment offered depends on the type of arthritis you have and how severe it is. This may include one or more of the following:

• medications – a combination of anti-inflammatories, painkillers, biologics, and corticosteroids can be used to manage pain, swelling, and inflammation

• physiotherapy – a specialist can take you through certain exercises to improve joint range of motion and strength

• therapeutic injections – steroid injections into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound or X-ray, can help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation

• surgery – if all other treatments haven’t worked, surgery may be needed. This could be in the form of arthroscopy, a joint replacement or joint fusion

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic consultants are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.