Have you got achy joints?

Managing osteoarthritis

OA is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, with nearly 9 million Brits living with the condition. It typically affects people over the age of 45 and can affect any joint in the body, but is normally seen in the large weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees, and spine, as well as in the smaller joints of the fingers.

OA happens when the cartilage that cushions your joints wears down. The cause is unknown but several factors are thought to increase your risk of developing it such as age, excess weight putting an increase strain on your joints, family history.

OA cannot be cured, but symptoms can be managed. There is good evidence that the improved muscle tone associated with regular exercise helps protect the joints, but conversely, too much exercise can be detrimental. Regular walking or jogging shouldn’t cause arthritis of the knees or hips, although it may accelerate damage in people with pre-existing problems.

A healthy diet – particularly one rich in vitamin C from fresh fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish – may help slow the progression of OA and ease joint pain and inflammation.

If you do live with OA, paracetamol taken regularly is recommended as the first port of call to handle any pain or discomfort. If that’s not effective, try an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen. Topical NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen gel, are often useful for hand or knee arthritis while corticosteroid injections into the joint are also sometimes used to fight inflammation.

Managing rheumatoid arthritis

RA is much less common, but still affects more than 400,000 people in the UK. It’s an autoimmune condition in which the antibodies that normally attack bacteria and viruses target the cells covering the joints, causing pain and swelling and stiffness. Hands, feet and wrists are the most commonly affected parts of the body, but rheumatoid arthritis affects most of the other joints as well. If left untreated, joints can become misshapen and misaligned, leading to permanent disability in the most severe cases.

Women are three times more likely to be affected than men, and it will usually strike when a person is between 40 to 50 years old.

While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, treatment is available that enables most patients to go many months or even years without a flare up.

Treatment focuses on controlling inflammation and preventing long-term damage. This often involves disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) and biologic medicines minimizing the chances of rheumatoid arthritis becoming worse. Both forms of drug therapy are often used in conjunction with supportive therapies including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry. Steroids can also be prescribed for short-term use in certain circumstances.

Like OA, regular over-the-counter painkillers can help RA sufferers cope with pain and discomfort – if you’re prescribed regular oral NSAIDs, you may need to take some extra medication to protect your stomach from irritation.

If you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis you must see a GP. Early diagnosis is vital to start treatment and prevent the condition getting worse, leading to permanent joint damage. Because its symptoms are like other conditions, it can be hard for your GP to provide an accurate diagnosis, so you will need a referral to a hospital specialist to have blood tests.

Managing strains and sprains

Sprains (injured ligaments) and strains (injured muscles or tendons) are common after falls, sports or sudden movements. They cause pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty moving the affected area. Most heal at home with simple care. The PRICE method is recommended. Protect the injury, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation for the first few days. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with pain and inflammation. Topical formulations such as gels may help local areas. Gentle movement is recommended once healing begins. 

Other types of joint pain

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain. It is most likely to affect the big toe and occurs when acidic crystals in the blood collect in your joint, causing pain and swelling. The joint will be hot, swollen, and your skin in the affected area will be reddened.

Bursitis most commonly affects the hip, knee, elbow, or shoulder joints. The fluid-filled sac that cushions your joints becomes inflamed, leading to swelling and pain in the joint, particularly when touched. It can usually be treated at home and should go away within a few weeks.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that can cause widespread pain, including in the joints, alongside muscle stiffness and fatigue. You may have increased sensitivity to pain, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and feelings of frustration or low mood.

Speak to your GP or healthcare provider if you think you might be experiencing one of these conditions. They'll be able to recommend ways to manage discomfort and discuss potential treatment options with you.