World Arthritis Day

There are over 10 million people living with arthritis. That’s one in six, with over half of those living in pain every single day. The impact is huge as the condition slowly intrudes on everyday life – affecting the ability to work, care for a family, to move free from pain and to live independently. Yet arthritis is often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing or shrugged off as ‘just a bit of arthritis’. We don’t think that this is OK. Versus Arthritis is here to change that.

Top help raise awareness of this often debilitating illness, we interviewed our Franchise owner, of Home Instead Cardiff, Penarth and Barry and Director Philip Batchelor about his personal experience of his arthritis diagnosis.

• What were the first signs and symptoms of Arthritis that you noticed?

I developed a painful and swollen right knee at around the age of 40

• How did they affect your day to day living experience?

It became harder to exercise and I experienced constant pain in my knee and developed a swelling called a “baker’s cyst”behind my knee.

• What tests or examinations were carried out to gain a diagnosis?

I went to my GP who referred me to an NHS physiotherapist, they then referred me to the Rheumatology Department UHW Cardiff. They diagnosed psoriatic arthritis, which is a condition my late mother lived with. I had knee surgery to remove the baker’s cyst and to clean up my knee joint.

•  Are you on any special medication to help control your symptoms?

I take Methotrexate weekly, this has greatly helped managing my symptoms and slows down the progression of the disease

• What lifestyle changes have you made to help you to better manage your Arthritis?

I exercise regularly with weight training and running – my Rheumatologist encouraged exercise, stressing that this strengthens the area around the affected joints.

• What would you say to someone who has just been diagnosed with Arthritis?

Try to stay positive, listen to your rheumatologist and keep physically active – this is good for both mind and body!