Sometimes in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, subcutaneous nodules can develop. These tend to be firm and are not tender to touch, and develop on around a quarter of rheumatoid arthritis patients. They can vary in size and usually develop at pressure points such as the back of the forearm, the elbow, metacarpophalangeal joint and pressure points on the knees and feet. The nodules mainly occur in chronic cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and can be associated with joint deformity and extra- articular menifestations of the condition, where organs such as the lungs and eyes are affected.

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Arthritis in the knee is also known as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. It is caused by the cartilage around the knee joint gradually wearing away, exposing the bone beneath. The joint cushions, or Meniscus, may also become damaged or wear away. Arthritis in the knee is most often found in the over 50’s. Other risk factors include genetic tendencies and carrying excess weight, putting a greater strain on the knee joints. Other causes can include damage or trauma to the knee causing damage to the bones or ligaments, ie accidents or certain sports related injuries.

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Neck arthritis is more commonly known as Cervical Spondylosis. It is a degenerative arthritis of the upper (cervical) part of the spine. The cause is generally age related wear and tear of the vertebrae and discs in the neck, although it can also be brought on by excessive and prolonged strain on the area, such as in jobs requiring much manual handling or certain sports. The discs in the neck become thinner as we age, and the vertebrae can develop rough areas of bone on the edges. These can cause irritation to the nearby nerves and ligaments.

We all undergo these changes to some extent, but Cervical Spondylosis is diagnosed when the degeneration is severe or having a greater impact than expected for an individual’s age.

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As well as taking prescribed medication for arthritis, and using other treatments such as arthritis creams, there are a few other arthritis remedies which may be worth exploring;

Diet The importance of a healthy diet cannot be underestimated, and will enable the body to heal itself from within. It is thought that some dietary carotenoids can alleviate arthritis symptoms. Carotenoids are nutrients found in foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins and other yellow, red, deep green and orange vegetables.

For more information on foods to eat to alleviate arthritis symptoms, click here

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