Q11. How is arthritis treated?

A11. Treatment takes the form of a plan which includes medication, e.g. steroids, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, diet, exercise and podiatry.

Surgery is another option but most people with arthritis do not require this.

This is basically, a ‘self help’ plan which is designed to enable you to manage the symptoms of your arthritis and lead a normal life. In some cases you have to accept that there will be limitations, for example with mobility so it is a case of adapting to that.

This applies to all aspects of your life such as work, leisure and at home.

Your specialist team will discuss these treatments with you.

Why not find out more about this in our treatment for arthritis section and, our living with arthritis section.

At present there is no cure for arthritis which means learning to cope with your condition.

Arthritis FAQs:

Arthritis FAQs

• Q1. What is arthritis?
• Q2. How common is arthritis?
• Q3. Does arthritis only affect older people?
• Q4. Why do many more women than men get arthritis?
• Q5. How many types of arthritis are there?
• Q6. What is the most common type of arthritis?
• Q7. Which joints are most likely to be affected by arthritis?
• Q8. What causes arthritis?
• Q9. What are the signs of arthritis?
• Q10. How is arthritis diagnosed?

• Q11. How is arthritis treated?
• Q12. What are anti-inflammatories?
• Q13. How do steroids work?
• Q14. What are disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs?
• Q15. What is methotrexate?
• Q16. What are anti-TNF drugs?
• Q17. What is Prednisolone?
• Q18. How do you cope with arthritis?
• Q19. Can you inherit an arthritis gene?
• Q20. Is there a cure for arthritis?