Frequently Asked Questions: General Arthritis Questions

What sort of problems can arthritis cause?
The kinds of problems caused can vary, due to the wide range of degrees of the disease. For instance, about 20 percent of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have a mild form of the disease and may have few symptoms.You may experience joint pain, muscle ache, and fatigue. About half of sufferers have difficulty with their hands, including gripping and bending their fingers. Protecting your joints can help to control the development of the disease. These are some things you can do to help:

• look after your joints
• reduce fatigue by pacing, and planning ahead.
• exercise regularly and reduce excess weight.
• get a good night's sleep.

Why do joints ache?
Inflammation (swelling) inside joints irritates nerve endings and this causes pain. If bones become damaged this also can be painful. Putting more pressure on joints, such as when lifting things, can make pain worse. As well, when joints are arthritic, ligaments become more slack, and uscles have to work harder to keep the bones in place, making the muscles ache.

Why do joints become deformed?
With repeated joint swelling, ligaments are stretched and can become slack. Bones and tendons get damaged and muscles become weaker causing the joint to become unstable. This means that joints slip out of shape and deformities develop. The way you use your joints can contribute to the development of deformities. Hands are particularly vulnerable as we place a lot of strain on them during the course of the day.

What should I do when I am in pain?
The ways in which you use your joints can give you increased pain, eventually leading to deformities. Take notice of your pain, recognizing when to do less. You may consider wearing splints to help rest your joints. Always practice joint protection, whether you are in pain or not.

* adapted from the Arthritis Research Campaign pages