Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) facts
Learn how to manage stiffness and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis.
If you've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.
Here are some questions that you might want to ask.
Osteoarthritis affects people in very different ways. People whose X-rays show signs that they have severe osteoarthritis may not have symptoms. But others, with less severe signs, may have a lot of pain and disability. No one knows for certain why this is. Osteoarthritis can make you feel depressed and anxious, because you may worry about how you will cope if you become disabled by the condition. It's hard to predict what will happen to you as an individual. If your osteoarthritis is due to...
Read the What will happen to me? article > >
Is there anything I might be doing that could be making my symptoms worse?
What's the best treatment for me?
Are there any nutritional supplements or vitamins that might help my joints?
What medications can help? Are they over-the-counter or prescription?
Are there any injections you can give me in my painful joint that might be helpful?
When should I start taking medicines, and which medicines should I take first?
Can I get addicted to painkillers?
If painkillers don't work, what's next?
What are the side effects of treatment?
Is there anything I can do to help myself, such as exercising or losing weight?
If I should exercise, what kind of exercise should I do?
How will you decide whether I need to have my joint replaced?
Would wearing special shoes or using a walking stick help me? Are there any other aids that would help me?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) facts
Learn how to manage stiffness and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis.