LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

Focused on osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis
For Your Information

This publication is not copyrighted. You may 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

You can find this publication on the NIAMS website at

https://www.niams.nih.gov.
Contents

What Is Arthritis? .................................................................1

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis? .............................2

How Do Doctors Recognize Osteoarthritis? .............................3

How Do Doctors Treat Osteoarthritis? ....................................4

How to Help Manage Osteoarthritis .......................................6

Research Supported by NIH/NIAMS .......................................9

Clinical Trials: You Could Make a Difference! ........................10

Where Can I Find More Information About Osteoarthritis? .....11

Tear-out Tools

Osteoarthritis Symptom Tracker ...........................................15

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor 

About Osteoarthritis? ..........................................................16

Medication Tracker .............................................................17

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 1

What Is Arthritis?

When people talk about having arthritis, they are usually talking 

about problems with their joints. The problems can affect any joint 

in the body, including: 

■ Hands.

■ Knees. 

■ Hips. 

■ Neck. 

■ Lower back.

There are many different types of 

arthritis with different causes and 

treatments. This booklet is going to 

give you information and tips on 

living with osteoarthritis (OA). It is the 

most common type of arthritis and is 

more common in older people.

OA can be painful, but there are 

things you can do to feel better. 

By learning about the disease and 

taking part in your care, you can 

learn to manage the symptoms to 

help you live an active lifestyle.

For more information about OA 

and other types of arthritis, please 

visit the NIAMS Health Topics 

webpage at https://www.niams.

nih.gov/health-topics.

OA is a joint disease 

that usually happens 

when the tissues in 

the joint break down 

over time.
2 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

What Are the Symptoms of 

Osteoarthritis?

When you have OA, you may feel:

■ Pain when using the joint.

■ Joint stiffness, usually lasting less than 30 minutes.

■ Swelling in and around the joint.

■ Changes in how you can move the joint.

■ Like the joint is loose or unstable.

Pain and other joint symptoms may lead you to feel tired, have 

problems sleeping, and feel depressed.

Remember, there are things you can do to help improve your joint 

pain and stiffness. It is important to visit your doctor, who can 

suggest and prescribe treatments that may lessen your pain and 

help you feel better. Be sure to keep track of your symptoms so 

your doctor has a full picture of what you are feeling. Also, bring 

a list of medications and supplements you take to your doctor 

appointment.

See pages 15 and 17 for symptom and medication trackers 

that you can tear out and take with you to the doctor.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 3

How Do Doctors Recognize 

Osteoarthritis?

There is no one test that shows if you have OA. Your doctor may:

■ Ask about your medical and family history.

■ Do a physical exam to check your general health, reflexes, 

and problem joints.

■ Get images of your joints by sending you for x-rays or MRIs.

■ Order blood tests and other screenings to make sure there 

are no other causes of your symptoms, such as an 

infection.
4 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

How Do Doctors Treat Osteoarthritis?

 The goals of your treatment may include:

■ Improve how the joint works.

■ Stop your joint problems from getting worse.

■ Help you improve or keep your quality of life.

You may see several types of doctors for your OA, including your 

family doctor, a rheumatologist, or other specialists who can work 

with you to treat your joint problems.

Treating OA usually includes:

■ Exercising, which can lower joint pain and stiffness and 

increase flexibility and muscle strength. Remember to start 

any exercise program slowly after talking to your doctor.

■ Managing your weight to help lower the stress on joints. If 

you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help to 

lower pain, prevent more injury, and improve movement in 

your joints. This can be especially helpful for your knees

or hips.

■ Using braces or other orthotics that your doctor prescribes 

and that are fitted by a health care professional.

Some people may need medications to help manage the 

symptoms of OA (see page 17 for a tear-out medication 

tracker). Your doctor may recommend surgery if your joint 

problems are severe and all other treatments tried have not 
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 5

helped. However, surgery is not right for everyone, and your 

doctor will help you decide if it’s best for you.

You may hear or read about other types of therapies to help treat 

your OA. For example:

■ Massage can increase blood flow and bring warmth 

to the area.

■ Acupuncture may help relieve pain. Doctors believe that the 

needles help release natural, pain-relieving chemicals made 

by the nervous system.

Before taking any medicines or using other therapies, talk to

your doctor.
6 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

How to Help Manage Osteoarthritis

There are many things you can do to help manage and live with 

OA. Start by working with your doctor to set up a treatment plan 

that works for you.

Learning as much as you can about OA from reliable sources 

can help, too. Some people find it helpful to take a class or 

talk with a community health worker to learn about the disease 

and how to manage the symptoms to allow you to live an active 

lifestyle. 
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 7

You may feel sadness or frustration when living with 

osteoarthritis. But keep in mind, many people with this disease 

live full lives. You may find it helpful to look for a support group, 

online or in your community. Support groups can help you 

connect with others living with OA, and offer tips on how to 

manage your joint problems. 

For a list of possible organizations to contact, see the “Other 

Resources” section on page 12.

Here are some other tips that may help:

■ Try using heat and cold therapies because they can lower 

joint pain. Heat therapy can improve blood flow. Cold 

therapy can numb nerves around the painful joint and 

help with swelling.

■ Use a cane or walker when you need it. They can help 

you move around safely, provide stability, and lower pain. 

■ If you have arthritis in your hands, you may find it helpful 

to use devices such as jar openers to help you grip.

■ Try to avoid repeated motions, such as frequent bending.

■ Shoe inserts or braces can help support your joint and 

help lower pain and pressure on the area. This can be 

helpful when you stand or walk.

Use the tear-out tools starting on page 15 to keep track

of your symptoms, medications, and questions you would

like to ask your doctor.
8 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

■ Exercise is important to help you keep, or improve, your 

daily living skills. Remember to talk to your doctor before 

beginning any new exercises and start slowly. It may take 

some time for you to adjust to the new activity. Some 

exercise choices may include:

	Walking.

	Low-impact aerobics in person or video classes.

	Balance exercises, such as tai chi or yoga.

	Use of weights or exercise bands to strengthen muscles.

	Swimming or water aerobics.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 9

Research Supported by NIH/NIAMS

Scientists supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National 

Institutes of Health (NIH), are working to find out what causes OA 

and other forms of arthritis and how they can best be treated. 

Researchers are looking at these issues:

■ Risk factors for different types of arthritis.

■ Treatment options, and how to prevent these diseases, and 

different ways of testing for them.

■ Types of testing methods that help doctors look at joints 

more closely.

In addition, studies continue to:

■ Look at how our genes that relate to bones and joints may 

be affected by the world around us.

■ Find new ways to measure what is happening inside the 

body, which could help researchers understand how 

different types of arthritis start and progress. 

■ Study if weight loss and exercise help manage the 

symptoms and outcomes in people with arthritis of the 

knee.

■ Compare how different factors may influence pain relief in 

people with arthritis.
10 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

Clinical Trials: You Could Make a Difference!

A clinical trial is a type of research study that involves people who 

volunteer to take part in it. Most clinical trials test a new treatment for 

a health problem, like a new drug or diet. Clinical trials help doctors 

learn if a new treatment is better, the same, or worse than standard 

care. Other clinical trials test ways to prevent a disease or find it early.

Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial would be right for you. 

When you volunteer to take part in clinical research, you help doctors 

and researchers learn more about arthritis.

Also, when you participate in a study, you may have the chance to 

receive the newest treatment and have additional care from the clinical 

trial staff.

To learn more about the basics of participating in a clinical trial, visit 

the website NIH Clinical Research Trials and You at https://www.nih.

gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you.

At that website you will find:

■ Information on risks and potential benefits.

■ Firsthand stories from clinical trial volunteers.

■ Explanations from researchers.

■ Instructions for finding a clinical trial at the NIH or somewhere 

else in the country.

To hear from people who have taken part in clinical studies led by 

NIAMS researchers, watch the videos at https://www.niams.nih.

gov/community-outreach-initiative/clinical-research.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 11

Where Can I Find More Information 

About Osteoarthritis?

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 (226-4267) 

TTY: 301-565-2966

Fax: 301-718-6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

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

For more information about osteoarthritis, visit https://www.

niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis.

If you need more information about available resources in your 

language or another language, please visit our website or contact 

the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse.
12 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

Other Resources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Toll free: 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)

Website: https://www.fda.gov

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Website: https://nccih.nih.gov

National Institute on Aging

Website: https://www.nia.nih.gov

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Website: https://www.aaos.org

American College of Rheumatology

Website: https://www.rheumatology.org

American Physical Therapy Association

Website: https://www.apta.org

Arthritis Foundation

Website: https://www.arthritis.org
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 13

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the U.S. 

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 NIAMS 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 website at https://www.niams.nih.gov.
14 LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

Notes:
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 15

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis Symptom Tracker

This symptom tracker can help you and your doctor 

understand more about your condition and health. 

Write down how you feel and any changes in your 

health. Share this information with your doctor at each 

appointment.

Pain is a common symptom of osteoarthritis. When 

describing your pain, use this scale to rate how bad it is. 

Pain Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Common osteoarthritis symptoms: 

■ Joint pain and stiffness.

■ Swelling in and around

the joint—especially after

using it a lot.

■ Changes in the ability to use

the joint. 

■ Feeling that the joint is loose.

Symptom (describe 

what it is and where)

When 

did the 

symptom 

start?

Did the symptom go away? 

If so when?

Did anything help ease

or relieve the pain?

How bad is the symptom 

or pain?

Pain when using the joint 10/30 No, stays all the time No 5 from pain scale 

Notes or Concerns:

15
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About Osteoarthritis?

Use this worksheet as a guide to start a conversation about osteoarthritis with your doctor. By talking with your doctor, you can 

work together to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Ask some of the questions below, and use the 

blank spaces to fill in your own questions.

Common Questions Answers/Notes

Are there any new treatments that may help 

my symptoms?

Should I see other types of health care 

providers to help manage my osteoarthritis?

How often do I need to come to the doctor’s 

office for regular checkups?

Can you refer me to services in the community 

that support people with osteoarthritis?

Do you know of any research studies 

about osteoarthritis that I might be able to 

participate in or learn more about?

Is there anything else I can do to make my 

symptoms better?

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

16
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 17

Medication Tracker

Keeping track of your medications helps you and your doctor keep you healthy. 

Use this page to keep track of all your medications, including any over-the-counter medications or supplements. Take it with 

you to all of your doctor appointments.

Name of

Medication

What’s

It For? Doctor Dose When to 

Take It

How 

Often

Notes or Concerns About 

Medications

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

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Notes:

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

18

January 2021