Overview
Arthritis is a term covering over 100 conditions that affect joints, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. The two most common types are osteoarthritis, where cartilage gradually wears away, and rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints.
How common is it?
Arthritis affects around 10 million people in the UK. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, increasing sharply in frequency over the age of 50.
Causes and risk factors
Osteoarthritis involves changes in the whole joint, including cartilage and bone; injury, loading and the body's repair response contribute. It is not simply inevitable wear and tear. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation and possible joint damage.
Common risk factors
- Age (osteoarthritis worsens with age)
- Family history
- Being overweight (puts extra stress on knee and hip joints)
- Previous joint injury
- Repetitive movements from work or sport
- Female sex (rheumatoid arthritis is 3 times more common in women)
Symptoms
- Joint pain, worse with movement or at end of day (osteoarthritis)
- Morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes (rheumatoid arthritis)
- Swollen, warm, or red joints
- Reduced range of movement
- Grating or clicking sensations in joints
- Fatigue, particularly with inflammatory arthritis
- Joint deformity in advanced disease
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if joint pain is persistent, worsening, or limiting daily activities. Seek urgent review if a joint is hot, red, severely swollen, and painful as this may indicate infection in the joint.
Diagnosis
The history and examination help identify the arthritis type. Typical osteoarthritis can often be diagnosed without imaging. Blood tests and scans may be needed for suspected inflammatory arthritis or other causes; rheumatologists lead care for inflammatory types.
Treatments
Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication
For osteoarthritis, exercise and weight management where appropriate are core treatments. A suitable topical NSAID can help knee osteoarthritis and may be considered for other joints; paracetamol is not routinely recommended. Oral NSAIDs need kidney, stomach, cardiovascular, pregnancy and interaction checks. For inflammatory arthritis, a clinician may use steroids for selected flares.
Disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs)
Methotrexate and other DMARDs slow joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the abnormal immune response. Biologic agents are used when DMARDs alone are insufficient.
Joint replacement surgery
Hip and knee replacements are highly effective for severe osteoarthritis, relieving pain and restoring mobility when other treatments have failed.
Self-care and lifestyle
- Regular low-impact exercise such as swimming or cycling maintains joint movement and strengthens surrounding muscles
- Losing even 5 to 10% of body weight significantly reduces knee joint loading
- Heat or a wrapped cold pack may ease symptoms. Avoid direct ice or excessive heat, and seek advice first if diabetes has reduced sensation or circulation
- Occupational therapy devices and joint protection techniques reduce strain in daily tasks
Prevention
A healthy weight, appropriate exercise and avoiding joint injury can reduce osteoarthritis risk and improve symptoms. Not all forms of arthritis can be prevented; early treatment of inflammatory arthritis helps limit joint damage.
Sources for targeted updates
Updated: 24 October 2026. Targeted corrections to causes, diagnosis, treatment, self-care, prevention, key facts. This update covers the named sections; a full review of the remaining guide is pending.