Help and advice for arthritis sufferers
Millions of people suffer with the painful and exhausting condition arthritis. Here, Nuffield Health explains what you can do to avoid it and the treatments on offer
Arthritis is a specific term for when a joint is damaged by disease. Medics are seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from some form of arthritis.
While there are more than 45 types, arthritis falls mainly into four groups:
Osteoarthritis: where the cartilage covering the ends of the bone becomes thinner and damaged
Inflammatory arthritis: where the joint lining becomes inflamed such as in rheumatoid arthritis
Regional musculoskeletal pain: general localised pain and tenderness
Back pain: caused by a variety of conditions, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and anklylosing spondylitis
AHow common is arthritis? In the UK each year there are 12,000 new cases of rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis is caused by a malfunction of the autoimmune system and will affect the joints asymmetrically, such as both knees or both hands.
Gout is the third most common form of arthritis and is caused by an increased level of uric acid in the body, often as a result of consuming certain drinks and foods. The UK has the highest rate of gout in Europe with one in 40 people being affected and the resurgence being due to growing levels of obesity and heavier drinking.
Osteoarthritis is more common and by 2030 is set to reach 17 million people in the UK (figures from Arthritis Care), with the majority in people aged 65 and above. In all forms, osteoarthritis affects the protective tissue that cushions bones where they meet at a joint.
Once the cartilage is damaged the bones will start to grind together causing inflammation, painful stiffness and swelling. What are the symptoms of arthritis? Arthritis symptoms can vary greatly between people and between the different types of arthritis.
If you’re experiencing unusual pain, fatigue or joint swelling which you suspect to be arthritis, it’s always best to speak to your GP.
The reason people require a replacement hip is because the ball and socket joint wears out either from osteoarthritis or often as a result of a previous fracture or dislocation of the thigh bone.
The pain this causes is often not just in the hip and groin area but can be referred pain down to the knee, which wakes people at night, and can prevent them from driving or working or even tying their shoe laces.
Alun John, a senior orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip replacement surgery, who practises privately at Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals and in the NHS at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, said: “The signs of osteoarthritis may be so mild that they are often easy to miss. “The main symptoms are stiff and painful joints, with less than 30 minutes of morning stiffness and the pain tending to be worse while exercising and at the end of the day. “Stiffness is common after inactivity such as sitting, but the joint may not move as freely or as far as normal and may ‘creak’ or ‘crack’ when moved.”
“The sensation of the joint ‘giving way’ usually means weak muscles that need strengthening.
“Symptoms can vary and you may have bad patches of a few weeks or months followed by better periods.
“You may find that it depends on how much physical activity you do. Joints may appear swollen and inflamed after physical activity. In more advanced cases, there may be constant pain and everyday tasks and movement may become difficult. Low mood and sleep disturbance are common as osteoarthritis pain persists. It is important you visit your GP.
“Don’t ignore your symptoms because early diagnosis will help prevent unnecessary damage.”
If you start to feel fatigue, stiffness or pain in any joints for more than two weeks, it is advisable to see your GP for a recommended course of treatment.
For some this may mean a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon or rhematologist. According to the National Joint Registry, in 2013 osteoarthritis was recorded as the main indication for surgery in 91% of patients undergoing hip replacement. What combats arthritis? The 2015 NICE guidelines state that long-term lifestyle changes, with diet being the key factor as well as exercise, can help treat arthritis and in the case of gout, restore health.
Many foods contain compounds which can be effective in combating the inflammation caused by arthritis. The helpful foods to watch out for are brightly-coloured fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli and kale. These contain high levels of anti-oxidants that may relieve inflammation around the joints.
Meat, oily fish such as mackerel, sardines and salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids should be eaten but in moderation and if you don’t like fish, try walnuts or flax seeds.
Exercising the affected joints is also good for helping to ease pain and stiffness. Gentle movements that stretch the muscles can alleviate pain. Why do people need hip replacements? The reason people require a replacement hip is because the ball and socket joint wears out either from osteoarthritis or often as a result of a previous fracture or dislocation of the thigh bone. The pain this causes is often not just in the hip and groin area but can be referred pain down to the knee, which wakes people at night, and can prevent them from driving or working or even tying their shoe laces. What does Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals provide? To help people move properly, Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals has designed a specific service called Joint Replacement Centre Wales.
A cutting-edge, evidence-based programme offers patients an individualised, lower-cost package with enhanced pre-operative assessment and detailed information about their treatment journey.
A dedicated hip & knee co-ordinator guides and supports patients through each stage and post operative physiotherapy has been specifically designed for patients with new hips and knees.
By reviewing all the clinical evidence worldwide, Nuffield Health has developed the highest quality and safest way to fix joints and to return people to their best possible fitness and mobility.