Imagine a disease that affected 10 million people, but that was routinely downplayed or brushed off as “a middle-aged grumble.”
That’s the reality of arthritis, a condition that affects about one in six people across the UK but doesn’t always get the attention or understanding it deserves.
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and this year the campaign is focusing on diagnosis. It’s a good choice because, though it sounds obvious, getting to the root of arthritis is the key to tackling it properly and avoiding long-term pain and complications.
In this blog we’ll some of the reasoning behind that – and why, if you’re struggling with knee pain yourself, it’s better to get yourself checked out than struggle on with frustration and discomfort.
Why do people delay diagnosis?
One of the problems with arthritis – particularly osteoarthritis, which accounts for about 85% of all arthritis cases – is that it’s often insidious. It creeps up on you. As we get older, we accept our joints are becoming less agile. It’s easy to dismiss an aching knee as something we just have to live with. And, over time, we subconsciously modify our activities to accommodate. It often takes some kind of life marker – such as a holiday where you realise you can’t walk around town like you used to, or a partner pointing out that you’re walking differently – for the reality to dawn.
There may be external reasons too. In a recent study by Arthritis UK, nearly half of respondents said their symptoms were underplayed or not taken seriously when they were seeking a diagnosis. The figure was even higher for younger patients aged 18-44 (63%). As one woman put it: “I was 29 when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but had been having severe symptoms for several years. These symptoms were not taken seriously because I was thought ‘too young’ to have rheumatoid arthritis.”
Why should you go and get a diagnosis?
So if you or a loved one might be suffering from arthritis in your knees, why should diagnosis be your next port of call? Here are some of the key reasons.
To get reassurance
Here at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics, we often find patients are shocked to learn they have arthritis. That’s perhaps because it conjures up images of immediate, crippling disability. But the truth is more reassuring. Almost all adults develop some osteoarthritis in their joints at some point in life. Many cases are quite mild. Most won’t continue to get worse over time. And whatever the extent of the condition, there’s a huge amount we can do to manage and improve it. Arthritis doesn’t have to feel like a life sentence.
To rule out more serious issues
When joint pain flares up, it’s easy for the mind to drift over to worst-case scenarios. Getting a checkup rules out some of the rarer but more serious complications that can cause aches and pains in the knees, such as a fracture, a tumour or an infection. Understanding what you’re dealing with relieves a mental burden and helps you take the right next steps.
To avoid bad habits
Another issue with arthritis is the activity-modification problem we mentioned earlier. Patients with arthritis sometimes stop taking exercise because they’re worried it will make a fragile joint worse. In fact, osteoarthritis tends to lead to a hardening of the bone rather than increased fragility. And, in any case, regular exercise is one of the most important ways to combat arthritis. On which note…
To adopt better habits
While it’s true that exercise is vital, not all forms are helpful. High-impact, high-injury-risk activities like football or skiing can end up causing further damage to an arthritic joint. Conversely, some activities are excellent. Cycling, swimming, walking and cross-training are good examples. But a physio who knows you have arthritis will be able to advise you on the right type of activities and how to get the best out of them.
To find support and community
Peer support often gets overlooked in the fight against joint pain. But it makes a huge difference to outcomes. Chronic pain is often isolating and mentally draining. Getting a diagnosis unlocks activities and support groups you might not have considered before. One 2025 study found that people with joint pain who took part in a free group exercise class at their gym experienced 35% less pain after 12 weeks. That’s partly down to the power of human support when it comes to fighting back against long-term pain.
To tailor the care to you
The biggest danger of delaying an arthritis diagnosis is missing the chance to manage it properly. Identifying exactly where the arthritis is – for instance, whether it’s patellofemoral (front of the knee) or tibiofemoral (the hinge between thigh and shin) – helps us work out which activities will be safest and most comfortable for you. Proper management means many people can live their whole lives with arthritis without ever needing major treatment. As we said before, an arthritis diagnosis needn’t feel like a life sentence.
More resources on living with arthritis
You can find out more about how arthritis works, and how to manage it, here on the website and in these useful online resources.
The different types of arthritis (NHS)
What does knee osteoarthritis feel like?
How to adapt when you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis (Arthritis UK)
Why is exercise good for arthritis knee pain?
What’s the best sport for someone with knee arthritis?
Could cycling ward off arthritis?
6 simple sleep tips for arthritic knee pain
ESCAPE-pain review: a course to help you manage knee pain
Are you struggling with knee pain, or wondering if you might be suffering from arthritis? We can help you get the support you need. You can make an appointment here at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics by phone, emailor with our online booking form. Whatever problems you’re facing, we’ll be delighted to help you get the diagnosis, advice and treatment you need.
