Orthopedics

The downsides of delaying arthritis treatment

Have you been putting off seeing a doctor about your aching hips or knees? It's time to take action. Arthritis is often to blame. A diagnosis and treatment plan can greatly improve your quality of life. What might you be risking if you wait?

YOUR MOOD

Arthritis can take an emotional toll. The stress of living with unmanaged pain can raise your risk for anxiety and depression. And those problems can, in turn, make it harder to manage arthritis. It's a vicious cycle.

YOUR ACTIVITIES

Stiff, achy joints can make everything from house cleaning to grocery shopping challenging. Plus they can keep you from enjoying favorite hobbies and recreational activities. The sooner you learn about your treatment options, the sooner you can get back to enjoying your life!

YOUR JOB

Untreated arthritis symptoms can make work challenging. You might find it difficult to perform some tasks. Or you might miss work when your arthritis flares up. Arthritis is a major cause of work disability.

YOUR MOBILITY

Arthritis aches and pains tend to worsen with time. And you could have more problems moving around as a result. With some types of arthritis, early treatment is very important to prevent further joint damage.

YOUR BALANCE

If joint pain causes you to be inactive, your muscles could get weaker, making you less steady on your feet. That's one reason people with arthritis may have an increased risk of falling and breaking a bone.

YOUR HEART HEALTH

Arthritis may raise your risk for heart problems. Inflammation might play a role. Another reason? Arthritis pain may cause you to be inactive and gain weight, both of which can be bad for your heart.

See your doctor

A doctor can help in all kinds of ways—from recommending medicine and assistive devices to referring you to physical or occupational therapy. And if those don't work? You can talk about whether joint replacement is right for you. Want to see if you might be ready for joint replacement?

Take the assessment

Sources: American College of Rheumatology; Arthritis Foundation; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; U.S. National Library of Medicine