U.S. Department of Health and Human Services banner.

Reviewed March 2010

Living with Arthritis

Easy-to-Read Information for Patients and Families

What Is Arthritis?

Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their bodies over time. Sometimes their hands or knees or

shoulders get sore and are hard to move and may become swollen. These people may have arthritis (arTHRY-tis). Arthritis may be caused by inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun), of the tissue lining the joints. Some

signs of inflammation include redness, heat, pain, and swelling. These problems are telling you that

something is wrong.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

1 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM
Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Over time, in some types of arthritis but

not in all, the joints involved can become severely damaged.

There are different types of arthritis. In some diseases in which arthritis occurs, other organs, such as your

eyes, your chest, or your skin, can also be affected. Some people may worry that arthritis means they won’t

be able to work or take care of their children and their family. Others think that you just have to accept things

like arthritis.

It’s true that arthritis can be painful. But there are things you can do to feel better. This booklet tells you some

facts about arthritis and gives you some ideas about what to do, so you can keep doing many of the things

you enjoy.

What Are the Types of Arthritis?

Do I Have Arthritis?

What Can I Do?

How Will the Doctor Help?

How Should I Use Arthritis Medicine?

What If I Still Hurt?

You Can Feel Better!

For More Help

Acknowledgments

What Are the Types of Arthritis?

There are several types of arthritis. The two most common ones are osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THRY-tis)

and rheumatoid (ROO-mah-toyd) arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This condition usually comes with age and most often

affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint. For example, a

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

2 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM
young person might hurt his knee badly playing soccer. Or someone might fall or be injured in a car accident.

Then, years after the individual’s knee has apparently healed, he might get arthritis in his knee joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the body’s own defense system doesn’t work properly. It affects joints

and bones (often of the hands and feet), and may also affect internal organs and systems. You may feel sick or

tired, and you may have a fever.

Another common type of arthritis, gout, is caused by crystals that build up in the joints. It usually affects the

big toe, but many other joints may be affected.

Arthritis is seen with many other conditions. These include:

lupus (LOOP-us), in which the body’s defense system can harm the joints, the heart, the skin, the

kidneys, and other organs

an infection that gets into a joint and destroys the cushion between the bones.

Do I Have Arthritis?

Pain is the way your body tells you that something is wrong. Most types of arthritis cause pain in your joints.

You might have trouble moving around. Some kinds of arthritis can affect different parts of your body. So,

along with pain in your joints, you may:

have a fever

lose weight

have trouble breathing

get a rash or itch.

These symptoms may also be signs of other illnesses.

What Can I Do?

Go see a doctor. Many people use herbs or medicines that you can buy without a prescription for pain. You

should tell your doctor if you do. Only a doctor can tell if you have arthritis or a related condition and what to

do about it. It’s important not to wait.

You’ll need to tell the doctor how you feel and where you hurt. The doctor will examine you and may take x

rays (pictures) of your bones or joints. The x rays don’t hurt and aren’t dangerous. You may also have to give

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

3 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM
a little blood for tests that will help the doctor decide what kind of arthritis you may have.

How Will the Doctor Help?

After the doctor knows what kind of arthritis you have, he or she will talk with you about the best way to

treat it. The doctor may give you a prescription for medicine that will help with the pain, stiffness, and

inflammation. Health insurance or public assistance may help you pay for the medicine, doctor visits, tests,

and x rays.

How Should I Use Arthritis Medicine?

Before you leave the doctor’s office, make sure you ask about the best way to take the medicine the doctor

prescribes. For example, you may need to take some medicines with milk, or you may need to eat something

just before or after taking them, to make sure they don’t upset your stomach.

You should also ask how often to take the medicine or to put cream on the spots that bother you. Creams

might make your skin and joints feel better. Sometimes, though, they can make your skin burn or break out in

a rash. If this happens, call the doctor.

What If I Still Hurt?

Sometimes you might still have pain after using your medicine. Here are some things to try:

Take a warm shower.

Do some gentle stretching exercises.

Use an ice pack on the sore area.

Rest the sore joint.

If you still hurt after using your medicine correctly and doing one or more of these things, call your doctor.

Another kind of medicine might work better for you. Some people can also benefit from surgery, such as joint

replacement.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

4 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM
You Can Feel Better!

Arthritis can damage your joints, internal organs, and skin. There are things you can do to keep the damage

from getting worse. They might also make you feel better:

Try to keep your weight down. Too much weight can make your knees and hips hurt.

Exercise. Moving all of your joints will help you. The doctor or nurse can show you how to move more

easily. Going for a walk every day will help, too.

Take your medicines when and how you are supposed to. They can help reduce pain and stiffness.

Try taking a warm shower in the morning.

See your doctor regularly.

Seek information that can help you.

For More Help

For more information on arthritis and related conditions, contact any of the following organizations:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

5 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Information Clearinghouse

National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

Phone: 301-495-4484

Toll Free: 877-22-NIAMS (877-226-4267)

TTY: 301-565-2966

Fax: 301-718-6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov

Arthritis Foundation

P.O. Box 7669

Atlanta, GA 30357-0669

Phone: 404-872-7100

Toll Free: 800-283-7800

Website: http://www.arthritis.org

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

6300 North River Road

Rosemont, IL 60018-4262

Phone: 847-823-7186

Toll Free: 800-824-BONE (2663)

Fax: 847-823-8125

Email: pemr@aaos.org

Website: http://www.aaos.org

American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

2200 Lake Boulevard NE

Atlanta, GA 30319

Phone: 404-633-3777

Fax: 404-633-1870

Website: http://www.rheumatology.org

Acknowledgments

NIAMS thanks the following people and organizations for their contribution to this project:

Graciela S. Alarc�n, M.D., M.P.H., University of Alabama at Birmingham; Gwendolyn Davis,

Activity Specialist, First Baptist Senior Center, Washington, DC; Virginia Gonz�lez, M.P.H., Stanford

Patient Education Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA; John Klippel, M.D.,

Arthritis Foundation; Carlos Lavernia, M.D., Miami, FL; Cynthia Lindquist Mala, Ph.D., M.P.A.,

President, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten, ND; Ted Mala, M.D., M.P.H., Lillian

Perdomo, Executive Director of Multicultural Community Service, Washington, DC; Betty C. Proctor,

Native Indian Sacred Earth Society, Brandywine, MD; Oscencio W. Tom, M.L.S., NLM, NIH; the

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

6 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM
Arthritis Foundation; the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; and the American College of

Rheumatology.

Special thanks go to the patients with arthritis who reviewed this publication and provided valuable input.

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of

the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research

into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of

basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research

progress in these diseases. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Information Clearinghouse is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health information and

information sources. Additional information can be found on the NIAMS Web site at www.niams.nih.gov.

For Your Information

This publication contains information about medications used to treat the health condition discussed here.

When this booklet was printed, we included the most up-to-date (accurate) information available.

Occasionally, new information on medication is released.

For updates and for any questions about any medications you are taking, please contact the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration at:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Toll Free: 888–INFO–FDA (888–463–6332)

Website: http://www.fda.gov/

This booklet is not copyrighted. You can make copies of it and give out as many as you want.

For more copies, contact

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Information Clearinghouse

National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

Phone: 301-495-4484

Toll Free: 877-22-NIAMS (877-226-4267)

TTY: 301-565-2966

Fax: 301-718-6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov

NIH Publication No. 10-7050

Many of our publications are available in print. Would you like to order publications on joint problems to be mailed to you? Visit our online order

form.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo15974/default.asp.htm

7 of 7 7/16/2019, 1:20 PM