Versus Arthritis

This week is Arthritis Care Awareness Week, a UK-based event which raises awareness about arthritis and gathers support for those with the condition.

Arthritis is a condition marked by painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Any joints can be affected, but it most often occurs in the hands, knees, hips and back. Arthritis is the biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK, affecting more than 10 million people of all ages, including children.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects more than one in three people over the age of 45 years.

Causes of osteoarthritis

As part of normal life, our joints are exposed to a constant low level of damage. In most cases, our bodies repair the damage and no symptoms are experienced. But in cases of osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage covering the surface of our joints breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, swelling and restrictive movement.

Several factors are known to increase our risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:

• joint injury – overusing joints when they haven’t had enough time to heal following an injury, operation or damage through illness
• age – our risk of developing the condition increases as we get older
• family history – osteoarthritis may run in families
• obesity– being overweight puts excess strain on joints, particularly weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips
• gender - women are more prone to developing arthritis than men
• heavy physical activity - particularly activity requiring high force or impact
• poor posture over a long period of time.

Colleagues can reduce their risk of developing osteoarthritis or slow its progression by:

• staying physically active to increase muscle strength, reduce stiffness and improve joint mobility and range of movement
• avoiding activity that inflicts excess force or impact on joints
• using a good posture when sitting
• losing weight and eating a healthy balanced diet.

It is not always possible to prevent arthritis, but a lot can be done to reduce the pain and stiffness caused by the condition. The Versus Arthritis campaign has lots of helpful information and guidance as well as a helpline (0800 5200 520, open Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm) for tailored support.