Hello Colleen, Rheumatoid arthritis can't be diagnosed with just a blood test and having this result does not mean that he has or will definitely go on to develop the condition at all. There are many other reasons for having the rheumatoid factor in the blood, including being completely normal. Wend...

Hi Jan, Thank you for your post. The goals of osteoarthritis (OA) treatment is to minimise pain and improve functional status. Non-pharmaceutical intervention are often used alongside pharmaceutical treatments. At the core of this intervention is exercise and weight loss (if appropriate). It is now ...

Hi Ben, Thank you for posting. I am pleased to hear you have been referred to a dietitian. Although diet can impact on gout, weight loss if appropriate should be the key as it is effective in reducing serum urate level. However do not follow fad diets for quick weight loss - make sure it is gradual....

Arthritis may also be associated with neuropathic pain, a confusion of the nervous system in which nerves become more sensitive than usual. Burning pain is a common symptom of neuropathic pain. If pain control medication is not working for you, asking your GP for a referral to a specialist pain team...

Whether you have arthritis or not, exercises is extremely important as a way of maintaining the health of your muscles and joints as well as the health of your heart and every tissue in your body. Everyone should probably be doing a little more exercise, but people living with the symptoms of arthri...

Arthritis is a complex persistent pain condition which may also be associated with neuropathic pain, a confusion of the nervous system in which nerves become more sensitive than usual. It seems that the medication that you are on (Amitriptyline) may have been prescribed for neuropathic pain. This ca...

Osteoarthritis is a complex persistent pain condition. Persistent pain conditions are characterised by a gradual build-up of symptoms that often happens for no apparent reason. Structural changes may not show up on scans and hence diagnosis may be difficult. Pain may be present without the presence ...