Arthritis

Arthritis is the breakdown of tissue inside the joints. It can cause pain, inflammation, restricted movement of the area and an apparent weakness within the joints affected. Arthritis is very common in the UK, affecting around 10 million people of all ages. There are two main types of Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. When it comes to older people, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is caused by wear and tear; the older we are the more we have used our joints through our lifetimes. Around eight million people in the UK are affected by this type of arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis include: Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness. Restricted movement of joints. Inflammation in and around the joints. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for the illness but there are treatments available such as painkillers and corticosteroids, which can help slow down the condition.