K.N.O.W. Home Health

ARTHRITIS GENERAL

Understanding Arthritis

For Patients and Families

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. Joints are places in the body where bones meet, like your knees, hips, fingers, or shoulders. Arthritis can make it hard to move or do daily activities.

Arthritis can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older adults.

Types of Arthritis

There are many types of arthritis. Here are the most common ones:

Osteoarthritis (OA):
This is the most common type. It happens when the cartilage (cushion between the bones) wears down. It usually affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Enteropathic Arthritis (associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
This is a disease where the immune system attacks the joints by mistake. It can cause swelling, pain, and damage to joints all over the body.
Septic Arthritis (infectious arthritis)
Gout:
Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. It can form crystals in the joints, especially in the big toe, and cause sudden, sharp pain.
Psoriatic Arthritis:
This type affects people who have a skin condition called psoriasis. It can make joints swollen and painful.
Lupus-Related Arthritis:
Lupus is another disease where the immune system attacks the body. It can cause joint pain along with skin rashes and tiredness.

Common Symptoms of Arthritis

Joint pain or aching
Swelling in the joints
Stiffness, especially in the morning
Trouble moving joints
Warm or red joints
Feeling tired or weak

Ways to Help Reduce Symptoms

Stay Active: Gentle exercises like walking, stretching, or swimming can help keep joints flexible.
Use Heat or Cold Packs: Heat helps relax muscles. Cold can help reduce swelling.
Rest When Needed: Don’t overdo it. Give your body time to rest.
Eat Healthy Foods: A diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help fight inflammation.
Take Medications as Prescribed: Some people need pain relievers or medicines to lower swelling or stop joint damage.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Extra weight adds stress to joints like the knees and hips.
Use Assistive Devices if Needed: Canes, braces, or shoe inserts can take pressure off joints.

When to Call Your Home Health Care Agency or Doctor

Call your home health care agency or doctor if:

You have new or worse joint pain or swelling
Your joints are red, hot, or very stiff
You are feeling more tired than usual
Your medicine is not helping or is causing side effects
You have trouble walking, dressing, or doing your daily tasks
You need help with exercises or equipment

When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER)

Go to the ER right away if:

You have sudden, severe joint pain and swelling, especially in one joint (may be a sign of gout or infection)
You cannot move a joint at all
You have a fever along with joint pain (could be an infection)
You fall and think you may have broken a bone
You feel chest pain, trouble breathing, or feel faint (may not be from arthritis, but needs emergency care)

Final Tips

Keep track of your symptoms in a notebook or app
Take your medicine exactly as ordered
Go to all your doctor appointments
Ask questions if you don’t understand something
Talk to your nurse or doctor about any changes in your health

PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

Please indicate if the following statements are True or False. Correct the Fase Statements:

True or False: Arthritis only affects older adults.
True or False: Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the joints wears down.
True or False: Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the joints.
True or False: Gout usually affects the big toe and can cause sudden, sharp pain.
True or False: Psoriatic arthritis is linked to a skin condition called psoriasis.
True or False: Swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints are common signs of arthritis.
True or False: Exercise should be avoided if you have arthritis.
True or False: Heat and cold packs can help reduce arthritis symptoms.
True or False: Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation in arthritis.
True or False: Gaining weight is helpful for arthritis because it makes joints stronger.
True or False: Assistive devices like braces or canes can make movement easier for people with arthritis.
True or False: You should call your doctor if your arthritis medicine causes side effects.
True or False: You should call your home health care agency if you are having more trouble doing your daily tasks.
True or False: A red, hot, and swollen joint could be a sign of a serious problem and should be reported.
True or False: It is okay to ignore joint pain if you’ve had it for a long time.
True or False: Going to the ER is necessary if you have sudden, severe joint pain and fever.
True or False: Writing down your symptoms can help you and your doctor manage arthritis better.
True or False: You should take your medicine only when you feel pain.
True or False: Arthritis can make you feel tired and weak.
True or False: There is nothing you can do to help yourself if you have arthritis.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Which joints bother you the most, and how does the pain or stiffness affect your ability to do daily activities like dressing, cooking, or walking?

Do you notice your joint pain is worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning or after activity?

What methods or medications are you currently using to relieve your joint pain, and how well do they work for you?

Have you experienced any swelling, redness, or warmth around your joints that seems new or different?

ANSWER KEY

False – Arthritis can affect people of all ages, not just older adults.
True – Osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage wearing down between the bones.
True – Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the immune system attacks the joints by mistake.
True – Gout commonly causes sudden, sharp pain in the big toe due to uric acid crystals.
True – Psoriatic arthritis is linked to psoriasis, a skin condition.
True – Common symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
False – Gentle exercise is encouraged to help with flexibility and reduce stiffness.
True – Heat can relax muscles and cold packs can reduce swelling and pain.
True – A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower inflammation.
False – Gaining weight puts more stress on joints and can make arthritis worse.
True – Devices like braces, canes, or shoe inserts can reduce pressure on joints and help mobility.
True – You should call your doctor if your medicine is causing unwanted side effects.
True – Increased trouble with daily activities should be reported to your home health care agency or doctor.
True – A joint that is red, hot, and swollen could be infected and needs medical attention.
False – Long-term or worsening joint pain should never be ignored and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
True – Sudden, severe joint pain with fever may indicate a joint infection or other emergency, and you should go to the ER.
True – Keeping a symptom diary helps track changes and can improve your care.
False – Arthritis medicine should be taken as prescribed, not just when you feel pain.
True – Many people with arthritis feel tired or weak, especially with inflammatory types.
False – There are many things you can do to manage arthritis, such as exercise, diet, medication, and self-care.