Condition Information
Do you want to find out more about a condition?
You’ll find more information here about arthritis, other conditions that affect bones and joints (musculoskeletal conditions) and other rheumatological conditions. This includes ‘auto-immune’ conditions where the body’s immune system can attack itself.
Select the condition by clicking on the downward arrow from the dropdown list below.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
What is osteoarthritis?
• A condition which can affect the whole joint and surrounding muscles
• Osteoarthritis occurs perhaps because of severe wear and tear to the joints or a problem with the repair process, and osteoarthritis develops
How does osteoarthritis affect people?
• Osteoarthritis can affect your joints in different ways at different times, sometimes you may not have any difficulties but at others you might
• Levels of joint pain vary from person to person and can be affected by different things, for example, your level of activity, experiencing an injury or trauma, as well as how you are feeling
• No two people are alike and levels of joint pain can change for many reasons, including the way we are feeling. It will not always get worse and there are things which can be done to manage it over time
• Having a positive view of the future may reduce the difficulties you have from your osteoarthritis
What should I do, and what should I expect?
• You can take steps to improve your osteoarthritis, by being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and thinking positively. This can help how you feel and what you can do now, and may help to avoid the need for more treatments in future. Support is available to help you to achieve this
• Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping active are the best ways of managing your osteoarthritis to reduce pain, increase strength and movement, and improve your physical and mental health
• Keeping active and maintaining a healthy weight are best for your osteoarthritis in the long run, even though some social activities can make this difficult
How should I start increasing activity?
• Increase activity gradually. Creaking or crunching in your joints does not mean you are causing harm. Short lived pain from new or increased activity, should guide but not stop you and will lessen over time. Noticing this improvement can help you to stay motivated
• It can be easier to keep moving if you build up from where you are now and put new activities to improve your osteoarthritis in to your daily routine
Information on osteoarthritis can be found at:
Introductory video: Osteoarthritis and you… – YouTube
Versus Arthritis: Versus Arthritis | All of us pushing to defy arthritis
Arthritis Action UK: UK Arthritis Charity – Arthritis Action
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance: ARMA | The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
British Society of Rheumatology: British Society for Rheumatology
