What should you know about osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis?

Osteoarthritis often centres on pain with use, stiffness after rest, and reduced movement in a particular joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that may cause swelling, tenderness, and prolonged morning stiffness in several joints, often including the hands or feet. Ankylosing spondylitis, also called axial spondyloarthritis, mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints; back stiffness may improve with movement and worsen after rest. These descriptions overlap, so they cannot replace an examination.

A clinician may ask about the timing of back or joint symptoms, eye or skin problems, bowel symptoms, family history, and function. Examination, blood tests, and imaging may help clarify the pattern.

Track morning stiffness, night symptoms, swelling, and changes in range of motion. Keep active within comfort and avoid long periods in one position. Physiotherapy may address posture, spinal mobility, strength, and joint protection. Exercise therapy or hydrotherapy can be adapted to ability; anti-inflammatory medication should be discussed with a clinician because suitability depends on health history and other medicines.

Arrange assessment for persistent spinal stiffness, swelling in several joints, or progressive loss of movement. Seek urgent care for a hot swollen joint with fever, new limb weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, or severe back pain after injury. Sudden painful red eyes or vision changes also need urgent medical review.

Does my symptom pattern suggest a mechanical or inflammatory problem? Should I have blood tests or imaging? Which movements should I practise daily? What warning signs or medicine effects should lead me to contact you?