A cane is most effective if its height comes to your wrist so you can divert weight onto it. There are many other tricks that can help. These may best come from consultation with a physical therapist or occupational therapist. See your doctor on a regular schedule. The physician may need to check to make sure you have no side effects from drugs and he or she can look for other clues that may not be obvious to you.
Possible complications depend on the exact type of arthritis.
Patients with arthritis due to systemic lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can have problems with their internal organs so that any symptoms should be discussed with physicians to see if they are related and may require further treatment. People with gout can get kidney stones. Once you know your diagnosis, ask your doctor if there are some such warning symptoms you should keep in the back of your mind. Arthritis of any kind can progress to the point of joint destruction and disability. Fortunately, orthopedic surgery has made dramatic advances for those with advanced disease.