World Arthritis Day 2024: Why Awareness Matters, Key Theme, and First Aid Insights

Every year on 12th October, World Arthritis Day is celebrated globally to promote knowledge about arthritis, which affects many individuals.

The theme for World Arthritis Day 2024 is “Informed Choices, Better Outcomes,” and it focuses on providing useful information that will help people discover the illness early and better the lives of arthritis patients. The increased global concern for arthritis makes World Arthritis Day 2024 timely, emphasising that awareness and education can be used to overcome the challenges of this disease.

Understanding Arthritis

Arthritis refers to a group of diseases that cause inflammation in the joints. It manifests through immense pain, swelling, and limited movement. It comprises more than one hundred varieties, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA): This is a degenerative joint disease that is often caused by wear and tear over time. It is common among the elderly population and mostly affects the knees, hips, and fingers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disease characterised by the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking healthy synovial tissues, resulting in swelling and injury of affected tissues. Although it may occur at any age, the most common is when it targets both sides’ joints.

Prevalence and Impact on Individuals and Society

There are approximately millions of people around the world who have been diagnosed with arthritis. It can lead to long-lasting illnesses such as chronic pain, immobility problems, and even disabilities.

Early diagnosis of arthritis is crucial to prevent permanent joint damage, reduce symptoms, and preserve the quality of life among patients.

World Arthritis Day 2024 is all about raising awareness of the crucial aspects of this condition and helping people put themselves ahead of this condition.

Watch this video as Dr. Priyank Gupta shares the significance of World Arthritis Day:

Common Symptoms and Challenges Faced by Those With Arthritis

These are the usual arthritis symptoms and problems that people who have arthritis experience:

• Joint pain: Dull, pounding pain felt around and inside the joints, e.g., knees, hips, fingers, and backbone.
• Stiffness: This occurs especially when one wakes up or stays idle for some time; hence, it becomes hard to move around.
• Swelling: The swelling is a result of some inflammation that occurs in the joint and makes it tender, swollen, and at times red.

Problems Associated with Arthritis

• Limited mobility: Inability to carry out easy activities such as walking, going up the stairs, or holding things.
• Physical dependency: Having to rely on others for daily chores due to pain in the joints and inability to move well.
• Emotional strain: Irritation, fear, and sadness when one is not able to be independent because of long-lasting pain in the joints.

Why Awareness Matters

Importance of Education and Awareness in Combating Arthritis

Education and Arthritis awareness are very crucial in fighting arthritis, as they give power to both individuals and communities, enabling them to be able to handle it effectively. This is why:

• Diagnosis and treatment at an early stage: Awareness campaigns help people recognise the early signs of arthritis like arthralgia, stiffness, or erythema. If detected early, medical attention can slow down the progress with fewer complications.
• Fighting Stereotypes: Education can defy the myth perpetuated by most individuals who believe that arthritis comes automatically when one grows old. It underscores the fact that arthritis is a form of sickness that could strike anyone and be controlled properly.

How Awareness Can Lead to Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Creating arthritis awareness is very important so that people can be urged to take early measures to identify any arthritic signs that may lead to serious symptoms or immobility. 

Many individuals ignore initial signs of arthritis like stiffness or soreness in joints, believing that they are associated with increasing age. 

Creating arthritis awareness must become a priority for healthcare organisations and support groups so that people seek medical attention quickly, hence receiving treatment before it becomes too late for them.

Watch the below video to learn more about the different treatment approaches for knee pain:

The Role of Support Networks and Community in Managing Arthritis

Arthritis is not just a physical condition—it also affects mental and emotional well-being. These programs promote unity among those who have arthritis, connecting them with various support groups as well as available medical personnel. The availability of a strong support system can help arthritis patients cope better and focus on recovery. 

World Arthritis Day 2024 Theme

The World Arthritis Day 2024 will revolve around the theme “Informed Choices, Better Outcomes.” This theme focuses on teaching people about arthritis so that they can decide well about their health and treatment. It aims at informing individuals on the importance of early diagnosis.

It stresses how knowledge can be power; it seeks to make work easier for those who have arthritis so that they can get medical help fast and choose things that will give them long-term advantages in terms of improved quality of life.

What You Can Do

Everyone has an opportunity to take part in World Arthritis Day 2024 in various ways, such as distributing educational materials, being part of awareness programs, and encouraging people to seek medical attention when they experience the signs of arthritis. In addition, communities should plan local activities that raise awareness about arthritis.

First Aid Insights for Arthritis

Living with arthritis is difficult because you never know when you will have a flare-up. Flare-ups are sudden increases in pain or swelling that can be caused by certain events or changes in weather, such as stress, overexertion, and hot or cold temperatures, respectively. 

Recognising Arthritis Flare-Ups

Some typical signs of increased inflammation and swelling include:

• Intensified pain experienced in and around the joints
• Swelling accompanied by redness on affected joints
• Reduction in ability to move properly
• Feeling tired or uneasy

Immediate First Aid Measures

1. RICE Method

• Rest: Stop using the painful joint for some time to avoid more pain.
• Ice: Put cold packs on any swollen joints, as this will reduce both the swelling and pain.
• Compression: Wrap an elastic bandage around the area to give support and prevent too much swelling.
• Elevation: Raise the affected part so that it is higher than your chest level, thereby reducing any inflammations.

2. Over-the-counter Pain Relief

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may offer a brief relief from arthritis-related joint pain and inflammation. However, one should always seek medical advice and undergo regular arthritis screenings at renowned facilities like HCG Hospitals before taking any medication, especially if they have other illnesses. 

Long-Term Management Tips

Although arthritis is a chronic disease, it can be controlled to a great extent, so it does not affect daily living activities. The following are some important approaches:

• Importance of Physical Therapy and Regular Exercise

Physical therapy improves joint flexibility, strengthens periarticular musculature, and reduces stiffness. Mild activities such as swimming, walking, and yoga can keep the joints moving well without overusing them.

• Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Symptoms

Some specific modifications in arthritis management include:

• Diet: Eating well-balanced food with anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help regulate inflammation.
• Weight Control: Keeping normal body mass decreases the impact of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, on the joints.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Medical attention should be sought under certain circumstances:

• Continued joint pain even at rest or after taking painkillers
• Increased stiffness, redness, or swelling of joints
• Decreased ability to do everyday activities
• Failure to attend to these signs may result in chronic arthropathy with impaired mobility.

Common Surgical Procedures for Arthritis

1. Joint Replacement: This involves replacing a damaged joint with an artificial one made of metal and plastic. It’s particularly common for knees, hips, and shoulders. It may be partial/total/reverse or cemented/uncemented depending on methods of surgery. It is a reliable treatment option with excellent long-term outcomes.
2. Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera to view and repair damaged joints. It can be used to remove loose cartilage, repair torn ligaments, or flush out fluid. Usually reserved for early stages.
3. Osteotomy: This involves cutting and realigning bones to reduce stress on a joint. It’s often used for knee osteoarthritis.
4. Synovectomy: This procedure removes the inflamed synovial membrane that lines a joint. This procedure is often recommended to manage rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Arthrodesis: This involves fusing a joint to immobilize it. It’s often used as a last resort for severe joint damage as a last resort. Rarely used nowadays.

Conclusion

World Arthritis Day 2024 serves as a reminder for us to sensitise people about arthritis and encourage them to take charge of their joint health. Education, timely identification, and proper medication can enable arthritis patients to have satisfying lives. In line with the theme for this year, “Informed Choices, Better Outcomes,” we should unite to educate others and promote proactive approaches to arthritis management.

HCG Hospitals is a leading hospital for orthopaedic care in Ahmedabad. Along with being equipped with all major advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities for arthritis care, it also has specialised screening packages designed for arthritis in order to promote timely diagnosis and management.

References

• Arthritis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

• Rheumatoid Arthritis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf