Arthritis: What you need to know

It can feel overwhelming and often leaves people wondering why it’s affecting them and what they can actually do about it… often without clear direction.

In this edition of the Better Movement Edit, I want to shed some light on a condition that affects millions of Australians every day.

What is arthritis?

In its simplest terms, arthritis refers to inflammation of the synovial joints.

The word “arthritis” comes from the Greek word arthron, meaning joint, and the medical suffix -itis, meaning inflammation.

There are many types of arthritis. You may have heard of a few — particularly osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

The latter are autoimmune inflammatory conditions, meaning the immune system mistakenly recognises the body’s own tissues as “foreign” and attacks them. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is more related to the body’s repair processes working a little too hard, leaving the joint in a constant state of low-level inflammation.

We often associate inflammation with poor health, but it isn’t the “bad guy” it’s made out to be. In fact, we rely on inflammation to heal and repair damaged tissues. It’s what triggers the body’s “helper” cells to travel to the site of injury and begin the repair process.

The problem arises when this process is constantly active — when the body is repeatedly breaking down and repairing tissue. This is what can lead to the ongoing ache and stiffness many people experience.

What are the signs of osteoarthritis?

As physiotherapists, we’re trained to recognise the signs of osteoarthritis and differentiate them from other causes of joint pain.

Common symptoms include:

• Joint pain
• Swelling around the joint
• Joint stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning
• The “warm-up effect” — where movement feels stiff and sore initially but improves as you keep moving
• Tenderness along the joint line
• A family history of osteoarthritis

How do we treat osteoarthritis?

While there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, that doesn’t mean it’s a life sentence.

Because arthritis affects so many Australians, there has been a huge amount of research into how we can manage it effectively and maintain a high quality of life.

The first step is developing a clear management plan with your physiotherapist. This involves understanding your symptoms, identifying what aggravates them, and recognising what already helps.

From there, we can build a structured and practical plan. Common options include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Often used as a first-line option to help manage inflammation. These are typically available at pharmacies.

Heat
Heat packs, hot water bottles, showers, and baths can help ease stiffness and discomfort.

Massage
Can help increase blood flow and warmth around the joint, reducing discomfort.

Strength training
Building strength in the muscles around the joint helps reduce pressure on the joint and improve overall function.

Activity modification
Staying active is important — but we want to find the right balance, avoiding activities that significantly flare symptoms.

A combination of these strategies is often very effective. In more persistent cases, hydrotherapy can be an excellent option for reducing symptoms and improving movement.

Will I need surgery?

This is one of the most common concerns.

Many people have seen friends or family members undergo joint replacement surgery and assume it’s inevitable. The reality is that surgery is often not the end result.

In fact, as our non-surgical management improves, surgery is becoming less common.

As physiotherapists, our goal is to help you delay — and often avoid — the need for surgery for as long as possible. That said, surgery isn’t a “bad” outcome. For some people, it can be life-changing.

The key is making an informed decision at the right time, with the right guidance.

In summary

Osteoarthritis doesn’t have to be a lifelong burden.

There are many effective ways to manage it, and in many cases, we can delay surgery and maintain your activity levels for years — sometimes decades.

If you think osteoarthritis may be affecting you and you’re not sure what to do next, we’re here to help.

Come and see us at 8 Koolkuna Lane, and our physiotherapy team will guide you through it.

Michael Scardamaglia
Director & Senior Physiotherapist
Better Movement Collective