World Arthritis Day is celebrated on 12th October every year to raise awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal or RMDs diseases. In 2023, the theme of World Arthritis Day focuses on surviving with RMDs at different stages of life. As to doctors all around the world, there are over 100 different kinds of arthritis and related disorders. 

Every year, this day is celebrated to raise awareness of its impact on the patient’s life and educate them about preventive measures, symptoms and treatment options. This article is a complete guide about World Arthritis Day, what arthritis is, its symptoms and more. Let’s dive in!

What is Arthritis Day? 

World Arthritis Day is celebrated on 12th October annually. It is a global event that aims to normalize arthritis and educate people about its symptoms, impact and preventive measures in detail. On this day, relays are organized by healthcare centers and other organizations to normalize arthritis and remove the taboo around it.  

Importance of World Arthritis Day

World Arthritis Day is a global initiative which aims to raise awareness regarding arthritis, educating people about this healthcare condition, different types of arthritis, their importance, its impact on society and individuals, early diagnosis, preventative measures and permanent treatment. 

This day is celebrated to advocate and provide adequate support to people living with this condition for many years or still developing symptoms. Every year, several events and activities are conducted on the streets and different organizations wherein healthcare experts, professionals, patients and their families participate to raise awareness and promote better life quality. 

History of World Arthritis Day

World Arthritis Day was first celebrated by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) on 12th October 1996, providing excellent opportunities for people and communities to come under one hood. It spread a positive message in society regarding arthritis. Several communities, including the Arthritis Foundation, fight the taboo against arthritis, raise awareness amongst general people and provide support to the patients. 

What is Arthritis? 

Arthritis is the tenderness or swelling in one or more than one joints, which typically occurs due to age or several other reasons like sitting in one place for longer hours, injuries and more. The word “Arthritis” stands for joint inflammation, which occurs due to damage in the tissue. 

Generally, people experience arthritis in areas like the knee, hands, lower back, or hip as two or more bones come together, resulting in immense pain, swelling, inflammation and discomfort. 

According to medical experts, there are more than a hundred types of arthritis, and many more are still not recognised. If you are experiencing persistent pain in your knees, lower back or regions in the body, it may be arthritis. 

Symptoms of Arthritis 

Here is the list of signs and arthritis symptoms:

• Pain areas in the joints, fingers, ankle, back, hands, wrist, muscles or neck
• Pain types can be sharp or intermittent
• Pain circumstances mostly occur while sitting consistently 
• Reduced range of motion, muscle weakness or difficulty walking
• Tenderness, stiffness or swelling in joints
• Malaise or fatigue 
• Bump on any part of the body like fingers, toes or bony outgrowth in fingers or toes
• Redness, flare, physical deformity or stiff neck

Types of Arthritis 

Arthritis is an umbrella term which includes over 100 joint conditions that are hard to manage. Here are the most common arthritis types: 

1. Osteoarthritis

Also known as wear or tear arthritis, Osteoarthritis is a condition which develops when the joint cartilage loses and breaks down from continuous stress. Generally, Osteoarthritis affects your hands, hips, knees, neck and lower back. There are two types of Osteoarthritis, including primary and secondary Osteoarthritis. Some potential symptoms of this condition include stiffness, continuous pain in joints, swelling near a joint, feeling of unstable joints and restricted motion. 

2. Ankylosing Spondylitis

Generally affecting the lower back, Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as arthritis in the spine, is a common condition which develops with time. During this kind of arthritis, your sacroiliac joints between the spine and pelvis swell up and become inflamed. People with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis are most likely to develop Ankylosing spondylitis. Some common symptoms of this condition are joint and neck pain, difficulty breathing, lower back pain and stiffness, unexplained weight loss and more. 

3. Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis, abbreviated as JA, is a common disorder generally found in small kids and children. In this condition, children experience pain in different joints of the body. Common symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness in the joints, morning joint stiffness, rash, fever and more. 

 4. Gout

Gout is a common disease which results in intense pain as it forms hard and sharp crystals of uric acids in your joints, generally in your bigger toe. Some common gout symptoms include discolouration, redness, pain, swelling, tenderness, inflammation and warmth in your toe. Although gout occurs in your toe, it may also affect ankles, knees, hands and wrists, feet and elbows. 

5. Psoriatic Arthritis

Another common type of arthritis is Psoriatic arthritis, which occurs due to psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes skin rashes. Another common reason for this condition is family history, which mostly affects your joints, causing swelling in your swelling. Some common symptoms of Psoriatic arthritis are stiffness, joint pain, swelling in your fingers, rashes and more. 

Self-care Tips To Prevent Arthritis Permanently  

Although doctors will help you to treat arthritis, there are certain self-care tips to prevent arthritis. These include:

• Stay active
• Do not stay in the same position 
• Manage stress
• Lose weight
• Sleep well
• Eat a balanced diet
• Use hot or cold packs
• Maintain good posture
• Quit smoking
• Take vitamins A, E, C, D and K
• Take care of your teeth
• Keep pain under control
• Exercise

How To Cure Arthritis Permanently?

First and foremost, there is no permanent cure for arthritis. However, certain treatments can help you manage prevailing symptoms. The severity of your condition also determines the treatment options. Here are some potential ways to treat arthritis.  

1. Medication

Pain and anti-inflammatory arthritis medication are recommended for people experiencing arthritis symptoms. These medicines directly target the inflammatory condition of your immune system and ease the pain.   

2. Physical Therapy

Doctors recommend physical therapies to improve the overall range of motion and enhance strength and mobility. You can contact therapists who explain how to perform everyday activities and what alterations will make a difference. 

3. Therapeutic Therapy

Healthcare experts recommend taking cortisone shots, temporarily relieving pain and reducing inflammation in areas like knees, elbow and other places. Sometimes, lubricants are injected into your knees for smooth functioning. 

4. Joint Replacement or Arthritis Surgery

If the condition becomes extremely severe, joint replacement surgery is recommended, where your joint gets replaced with an artificial one to preserve easy movements and proper function and eliminate pain and discomfort. Common examples are hip replacement, ankle, knee, elbow and shoulder replacement. 

Best Arthritis Doctor in India (Jaipur) 

Here are the best arthritis doctors near me: 

1. Dr. Sanjay Sogani

Experience: 10 Years 

Dr. Sanjay Sogani is a well-known arthritis doctor in Jaipur, India, with 10 years of hands-on experience treating patients complaining about joint pain and discomfort. He has been practicing as a consultant pulmonologist and intensivist at SDMH since 2011. He keeps himself updated with all the latest technologies and attends multiple workshops in the fields of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. 

2. Dr Bharat Singh

Experience: 15 Years 

Dr. Bharat Singh is a popular arthritis doctor in Jaipur, India, who completed his MBA and MD from Dr S N Medical College, Jodhpur, in 2003 and 2007, respectively. He has more than 15 years of experience in treating patients who have arthritis and joint pain. Currently, he serves at the Centre for Arthritis & Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders in Mansarovar, Jaipur. He is known for providing personalized treatment to all his patients. 

3. Dr. Rajat Jangir

Experience: 10 Years 

Dr. Rajat Jangir is a shoulder and knee Orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries and joint replacement. In the past 10 years, Dr. Rajat Jangir has served as Jaipur’s best sports medicine doctor. He is also a head and professional of the Department of Sports Medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan. He completed his MBA and MS in 2008 and 2012, and since then, he has served as the most renowned doctor in Jaipur.  

Conclusion

World Arthritis Day is celebrated on 12th October every year to support patients suffering from joint pain and discomfort. This is a common health problem that nearly 20% of people worldwide are experiencing. Generally, arthritis occurs due to aging and continuous wear and tear of joints and muscles, resulting in excruciating pain. Today, people from around the world come together and participate in various events and support arthritis patients.