March, 2021
There are many types of arthritis, and the way your arthritis is treated can vary depending on which type you have. So, it is very important
to make sure you get the right diagnosis.
There are many different reasons why your joints may be sore. Not all pain in muscles and joints is caused by arthritis. It could be from an injury or using your joints and muscles in an unusual way. But, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of arthritis.
Talk to your doctor if you have pain and stiffness that:
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints. They may also do some tests or x-rays.
Before you go to the doctor, it can be helpful to write down your symptoms and any patterns that you have noticed.
These questions can help you prepare to see your doctor:
Keeping a ‘pain diary’ can be a helpful way to see any patterns in your symptoms so you can better inform your doctor. In a pain diary, you
record things that might impact on your level of pain. You rate your pain on a scale of 0 – 10, and then rate your sleep, mood and level of
physical activity as well. It is ideal to do this a few times a day, so you can really get a sense of any patterns.
If arthritis is suspected, find out what type of arthritis is affecting you and learn about your treatment options.
It may take several visits before your doctor can tell what type of arthritis you have. This is because some types of arthritis can be hard to diagnose in the early stages. Your doctor may also send you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specialises in arthritis, for more tests.
Your doctor may use blood tests to provide support for the diagnosis made on the symptoms and signs, or to help rule out other types of arthritis or conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Forms of arthritis diagnosed by pathology tests include autoimmune conditions like
Some conditions may be diagnosed without blood or pathology tests, including conditions like
Arthritis Queensland and Arthritis New South Wales are Members of The Arthritis Movement. Please note that there will be a transition period while our financial and administrative structures are finalised. During this time, we ask that you still donate and make other payments to Arthritis Queensland or Arthritis NSW depending on which state you reside in, which will continue to issue receipts.