How to Tell Your Doctor About Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis pain includes joint swelling, stiffness and loss of range-of-motion. Arthritis occurs most commonly in older adults or people who have suffered a joint injury. Normal wear and tear on joints often results in osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis stems from an autoimmune disorder. Reporting your arthritis symptoms to your doctor leads to early diagnosis and effective management of the disease. There are several ways to record and report your symptoms.
Items Needed
- Journal or calendar
- Pen
Instructions
- Write down detailed accounts of your arthritis symptoms in a journal or on a calendar. Include the severity of the pain, specific location, time of day, activities performed in the days leading up to episodes. Document any home treatment you used to relieve the symptoms.
- Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss the symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and focus on the joints of concern. He will look for swelling, redness and warmth around the joints. Discuss any family history of arthritis, common physical activities and medications and supplements you take.
- Show your doctor your symptom diary and talk about the patterns you see in the symptoms. For example, symptoms occur when the weather changes from cold to warm and dry to humid, or following certain activities such as running, gardening or computer work.
- Severe cases of osteoarthritis that do not respond to traditional treatment or cases of rheumatoid arthritis may require medical care from a specialist. A rheumatologist specializes in disorders of the joints. Ask you doctor for a referral if arthritis pain persists despite treatment.
- Continue to write down symptoms in your journal and discuss changes in the intensity of the pain. Follow you doctor’s instructions for relieving pain such as applying heat or ice, using splints or joint-support devices and range-of-motion exercises. Report the results of treatment.
- Follow up with your doctor of rheumatologist on a regular basis. Proper management and treatment reduces the risk of joint damage and invasive surgical correction of the joint. Maintain effective exercise and rehabilitation programs to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness.