National Arthritis Week
The effect of and concern caused by arthritis and joint pain goes beyond people in their old age
As we enter National Arthritis Week, I have been reflecting on my own health.
I’ve recently turned 45 years old and have been struck by how muscle and joint pain have become a feature in my life. I am receiving treatment for tennis elbow and have been diagnosed with Heberden’s nodes. One of my dearest friends has had a hip replacement. Trying to explain what the pain feels like, and the impact it has on my life, can be hard. The discomfort is very real but is largely invisible - struggling with shopping and carrying my toddler. There's some comfort that I am not a lone middle aged woman quietly worrying about the state of her muscles and joints.
Ipsos research for Arthritis Research UK shows that over half (57%) of 35-54 year olds agree they worry about the health of their joints and muscles, a similar proportion to those aged over 55 (53%). It is also encouraging that the public no longer perceive these conditions to be the preserve of the elderly - just one in twelve (8%) believe you can only get arthritis if you are elderly.
Whilst there is little we can do to prevent the onset of arthritis and muscle and joint pain, we all owe it to ourselves to talk openly about the challenges we face and not suffer in silence, at the same time treating our joints and muscles better, and supporting the work of charities like Arthritis Research UK.
See other personal stories at www.nationalarthritisweek.org.
Technical note Ipsos interviewed 2,814 members of the public across GB between 6-12 September 2013. This included a ‘booster’ of 791 adults aged 55+. The research was conducted for Arthritis Research UK.
