Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is often dismissed as wear and tear, but that phrase can leave patients feeling that nothing can be done. In my clinic I take a different view. Osteoarthritis can be actively managed, and many patients feel meaningfully better with the right combination of exercise, weight, medication and, where needed, targeted procedures.
What osteoarthritis is
Osteoarthritis is a condition of the whole joint. It involves cartilage, bone, ligaments, muscles and the joint lining. It can cause pain, stiffness and swelling, especially in the knees, hips, hands, spine and previously injured joints. It is not simply ageing, and it responds to a considered plan.
Symptoms to look out for
Joint pain that is worse with use or at the end of the day
Short-lived stiffness after rest, usually less than 30 minutes
Swelling or bony enlargement around a joint
Grinding, clicking or reduced movement in a joint
Flare-ups after heavier activity, then a return to a baseline
Difficulty with stairs, kneeling, squatting or gripping
Why this matters to a rheumatologist
A rheumatology review is useful when the symptoms are severe, when the diagnosis is unclear, when inflammation seems more prominent than expected, or when another type of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or gout might be present. Getting the diagnosis right shapes the whole plan.
Signs I would like you to seek care for
For emergency symptoms please seek urgent or emergency care first rather than waiting for a WhatsApp reply.
Persistent swelling, warmth or morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
Rapid loss of function or a joint that gives way
Pain not responding to your usual measures
Several joints affected together with fatigue or other systemic symptoms
A hot swollen joint with fever, which can be infection or gout and needs urgent review
What a specialist review looks like
In clinic I confirm the pattern, examine the affected joints and surrounding muscles, and review any imaging you have. Where helpful I arrange X-rays and targeted blood tests to rule out inflammatory arthritis. Together we build a plan around exercise, weight, pain relief, sleep, and, in selected cases, joint injections or referral to a surgeon.
Questions my patients often ask me
Speak with me
If joint pain is limiting your walking, gripping, sleep or confidence, please seek specialist care. I would like to help you build a plan that gives you back movement and control.
Other conditions I treat
This page is for general education only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.