Arthritis
What exactly is arthritis?
Arthritis is the swelling or inflammation of the joints that connects our bones.
There are over 100 different types and forms. For older people, osteoarthritis is
the most common cause of physical disability.
When osteoarthritis happens, the cushioning between your bones breaks down
and wears away, which can be painful. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the
pain that comes with having arthritis.
Warning signs to look out for
- Mild or severe joint pain
- Stiffness
- Joint swelling or tenderness
- Sounds of bones rubbing together
- Loss of flexibility
- Crunching feeling around your bones
- Bone spurs (extra bits of bone around the joints)
What are the risk factors?
Risks for developing arthritis include
- Being older
- Being a woman
- Being overweight
- Having joint injuries
- Putting repeated stress on joints
- Having a family history of arthritis
- Having bone deformities
- Having diabetes or other metabolic conditions
The pain from arthritis can lead to depression or lack of sleep. If you’re struggling with your mental health, our Behavioral Health resources can help you find the care you need.
Diagnosing arthritis
There are a few different ways doctors look for arthritis such as:
- A medical history review
- A physical examination
- X-rays
- An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Lab tests
- Blood tests (which help rule out other joint pain causes)
- Joint fluid analysis (needle draw from affected joint)
Is there a way to manage it?
You can manage it through:
- Increased physical activity
- Physical therapy or occupational therapy
- Weight loss
- Medications, over-the-counter and prescription drugs
- Injections
- Electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Crutches, canes, wraps or other support tools
- Alternative therapies like acupressure and acupuncture
- Surgery (if necessary)
Talk to your doctor about any pain you’re experiencing. They can recommend ways to help. To learn more about treatment options, search “Osteoarthritis” on Healthwise*
*You are leaving the HealthHub website and are being directed to another site. Please refer to your Explanation of Coverage (EOC) for details on your benefits and coverages.
Stay active
Some people worry that physical activity will make their arthritis worse. But joint-friendly activities like walking, bicycling, or swimming can reduce arthritis pain and help you live healthier.
How to schedule a screening for arthritis
Download and sign in to the Sydney Health app or your plan website. Then you can schedule an appointment with your provider. Remember — lab tests
require a doctor’s order or prescription first.
You can also use the app and plan website to schedule appointments with:
- Your doctor or primary care provider (PCP)
- Network labs
- Specialists
Download and sign in to our Sydney Health app
