World Arthritis Day: Some Common Myths Busted

 World Arthritis Day: Some Common Myths Busted

The theme of World Arthritis Day 2022 is "It's in your hands, take action".

When a joint is stiff or sore, people should apply heat before exercising

World Arthritis Day is observed every year on 12 October to raise awareness about arthritis, a condition that can affect one or more joints, causing pain, swelling and inflammation. “It is an all-encompassing term used to describe a variety of ailments rather than a specific disease. It is one of the most common health issues in the country,” said Dr. Biren Nadkarni, Senior Orthopedic Consultant and Sitaram in New Delhi Joint replacement surgeon at Bhartia Institute and Holy Family Hospital, said the theme for 2022 is "It's in your hands, take action".

“There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, the most prevalent being osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unlike RA, which primarily affects the immune system and joints as well as muscles, connective tissue, tendons and can damage fibrous tissue, OA is the breakdown of cartilage that protects the ends of bones. It can damage any joint including the hands, hips, knees and spine,” Dr Nadkarni told indianexpress.com .

The expert further added that despite being common, there are many myths that surround this condition; Sharing some of these, Dr Nadkarni stressed, “There is a need to eliminate them on priority basis.”

*Arthritis is a disease of old age and may not affect children.

Fact: Although there are many types of arthritis that can afflict both children and young adults, the condition is more prevalent in older people. Juvenile arthritis (also called childhood arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), the most common type of arthritis in children, can permanently damage the joints.

all joint pain is arthritis

Fact: Many diseases, including tendonitis, bursitis and other soft-tissue injuries, can cause joint pain and have a pain profile similar to arthritis. Therefore, it is important to get an accurate medical diagnosis before treating any type of joint discomfort.

When you start experiencing joint pain, you should wait to see if it goes away on its own.

Fact: Absolutely false. Early detection and treatment of arthritis can save not only your joints but also other vital organs from damage. Some types, such as RA, can damage the heart, blood vessels, brain, skin, eyes, lungs, and skin. It is important to identify the type of arthritis you have as early as possible because there are many treatments available, and starting the right course of treatment can help you avoid long-term effects.