Hunjan Hospital Ludhiana
Arthritis Treatment
How arthritis is assessed and treated, from exercise, weight management and medicines to when surgery may be considered, and the limits of each option.
Arthritis: assessment and treatment
Arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.[2] Osteoarthritis is the most common type; others include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.[2] There is currently no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that can help you manage your symptoms.[2]
At the orthopaedic outpatient clinic, a doctor will assess your joints, explain the likely cause of your symptoms and agree a treatment plan with you. For osteoarthritis, the core treatments are therapeutic exercise and weight management (if appropriate), along with information and support.[1] Medicines and other treatments are added when needed.
- A clinical assessment of your symptoms, joints and daily activities
- X-rays or blood tests when they are needed to confirm the type of arthritis[1,3]
- An exercise programme tailored to you[1]
- Support with weight management, if it applies to you[1]
- Medicines and, in selected cases, joint injections[1]
- Referral for surgery when other treatments have not helped enough[1]
Your doctor will explain the expected benefits and limitations of each option so that you can decide together.
What happens at your appointment
Your first visit usually involves a conversation about your symptoms and an examination. Tests are arranged only when they will help with the diagnosis or plan.
- Questions about when the pain started, which joints are affected and how it affects work, sleep and daily activities
- An examination of the painful joint and the joints near it
- Osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed without scans if you are 45 or over, have activity-related joint pain and have no morning stiffness or stiffness lasting 30 minutes or less[1]
- Blood tests and X-rays of the hands and feet if rheumatoid arthritis is suspected[3]
What to bring: a list of all the medicines and supplements you take, any previous X-ray, MRI or blood-test reports, and a note of the activities that make your symptoms better or worse.
Common types of arthritis
Different types of arthritis have different causes and treatments, so identifying the type is an important first step.
- Osteoarthritis: the most common type, which usually starts in the late 40s[2]
- Rheumatoid arthritis: a condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints
- Gout: sudden attacks of joint pain caused by crystals of uric acid forming in a joint
- Psoriatic arthritis: joint inflammation that can affect some people with the skin condition psoriasis
- Ankylosing spondylitis: inflammation that mainly affects the spine
- Post-traumatic arthritis: arthritis that develops in a joint after a serious injury or fracture
If your symptoms suggest an inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, national guidelines recommend referral for a specialist opinion, urgently if the small joints of the hands or feet or more than one joint are affected.[3] This is because disease-modifying medicines should be started as soon as possible, ideally within 3 months of persistent symptoms.[3]
When to see a doctor about joint pain
See a doctor if joint symptoms are affecting your daily life or are not settling. An assessment may help if you have:
- Joint pain, swelling or stiffness that keeps coming back or is getting worse
- Morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes, which can point to a type of arthritis other than osteoarthritis[1]
- Swelling in more than one joint, or in the small joints of the hands or feet[3]
- Pain that limits walking, climbing stairs, work or sleep
- Pain that has not settled with regular exercise and simple pain relief
How osteoarthritis is treated
NICE describes three core treatments for osteoarthritis: therapeutic exercise, weight management if appropriate, and information and support.[1] Other treatments, such as medicines, are used alongside these rather than instead of them.[1]
- Exercise: a programme tailored to your needs, such as local muscle strengthening and general aerobic fitness. Supervised sessions may also be suggested.[1]
- Weight: if you are living with overweight, losing weight improves quality of life and physical function and reduces pain. Any weight loss is likely to help, and losing 10% of your body weight is likely to help more than 5%.[1]
- Medicines: used alongside exercise, at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. For knee osteoarthritis, an anti-inflammatory gel or cream (topical NSAID) is offered first.[1]
- Walking aids: a walking stick may be suggested for hip or knee osteoarthritis.[1]
- Surgery: joint replacement may be considered when symptoms substantially affect your quality of life and non-surgical treatment has not helped or is unsuitable.[1]
Benefits, risks and limitations of treatment
Every treatment has limits and possible side effects. Your doctor will discuss them with you before you start.
- Joint pain may increase when you start exercising. Regular, consistent exercise is still beneficial, and keeping to it long term reduces pain and improves function.[1]
- Anti-inflammatory tablets (oral NSAIDs) can affect the stomach, kidneys, liver and heart. Your doctor will check your risk factors and offer a medicine to protect your stomach while you take them.[1]
- There is no strong evidence that paracetamol helps osteoarthritis, and strong opioid painkillers are not recommended because their risks outweigh the benefits.[1]
- Steroid injections into a joint give short-term relief only, usually for 2 to 10 weeks.[1]
- Hyaluronic acid (gel) injections and glucosamine are not recommended for osteoarthritis in NICE guidance.[1]
- Keyhole washout or trimming of the joint (arthroscopic lavage or debridement) is not recommended for osteoarthritis.[1,5]
Get urgent medical help if a joint suddenly becomes very painful, hot, swollen or red, you cannot move it or put weight on it, or you feel unwell with a high temperature. These can be signs of a joint infection (septic arthritis).[4]
Frequently asked questions about arthritis
Patient pathway
Arthritis Treatment treatment journey in Ludhiana
Patients receive a step-by-step clinical assessment focused on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment choices, recovery expectations, and follow-up care.
Consultation
The doctor reviews symptoms, history, current medicines, and previous reports.
Diagnosis
Imaging, lab tests, or specialist assessments may be advised when required.
Treatment plan
Options may include medication, therapy, minimally invasive care, surgery, or rehabilitation.
Recovery support
The team explains risks, recovery timelines, warning signs, and follow-up steps.
References
Sources are provided for general information; a qualified clinician can advise on your situation.
- Reference 1: Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management(opens in a new tab)
NICE, 2022nice.org.ukNG226
- Reference 3: Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: management(opens in a new tab)
NICE, 2020nice.org.ukNG100
- Reference 5: Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears: a clinical practice guideline(opens in a new tab)
The BMJ, 2017bmj.comdoi:10.1136/bmj.j1982
This page was prepared with AI assistance and is awaiting review by a hospital clinician.
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