Arthritis is a disease of the joints.
Painful, stiff joints are the most
common signs of arthritis. Other
signs are swelling, warmth, and
redness in the joints. People often
have trouble moving the joints
normally.
Arthritis is a problem for many
adults age 65 and older. About 42
million Americans have some form
of arthritis. It can affect people of
all ages and races.
Why do people get arthritis?
They put stress on the joints over
time.
They are overweight.
It runs in their family.
They are women. Women are
affected 2 to 3 times more often
than men.
How can the doctor tell if I have
arthritis?
This can be tricky. Other diseases
can have the same signs. The
doctor will:
Ask about your health history.
Do an exam and look at your
joints.
Order lab tests of blood or urine
samples.
Order X-rays or other tests to see
inside the joints.
Questions the doctor might ask:
Is the pain in one or more joints?
When do you have the pain?
How long does the pain last?
What were you doing when you
first had the pain?
Does moving around make the
pain better or worse?
Have you been sick or had any
accidents?
Has anyone in your family had
arthritis?
What drugs are you taking?
Does anything make it better?
What are the treatments?
Rest
Exercise
Healthy diet
Weight loss
Medicines
Heat and cold
Injections
Surgery
Learning how to relax deeply
Canes, splints, or other items to
take stress off the joint
What can I do to help my doctor
help me?
Help plan your treatment.
Ask questions.
Understand your treatment plan.
Follow directions for taking your
medicine.
To Learn More:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Phone: 301-495-4484 or 1-877-22-NIAMS (1-877-226-4267) www.niams.nih.gov
