10 Myths About Arthritis: Debunked

Arthritis is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide, but it’s often misunderstood. Let’s bust 10 prevalent myths about arthritis and set the record straight with expert insights and scientific evidence.

Myth 1: Arthritis only affects older people

Reality: While it’s true that the risk of certain types of arthritis increases with age, arthritis can affect people of all ages, including children.

Dr. Susan Goodman, a rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery, states, “Many people are surprised to learn that arthritis isn’t just a disease of old age. Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in middle age, and some types of arthritis affect children” [1].

Myth 2: Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis

Reality: Despite what your grandmother might have told you, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis.

A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found no link between knuckle cracking and osteoarthritis [2]. Dr. Robert Klapper, an orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, explains, “The ‘pop’ of a cracked knuckle is simply the sound of gases being released from the joint fluid, and has not been shown to cause arthritis” [3].

Myth 3: Exercise is bad for arthritis

Reality: Regular, appropriate exercise is actually beneficial for most people with arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends exercise as a crucial part of arthritis management [4]. Dr. Patience White, a rheumatologist and vice president of public health at the Arthritis Foundation, notes, “Exercise is one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis. It’s also beneficial for inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis” [5].

Myth 4: Diet doesn’t affect arthritis

Reality: What you eat can indeed impact arthritis symptoms and progression.

A study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with lower disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients [6]. Dr. Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, states, “A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce inflammation and manage arthritis symptoms” [7].

Myth 5: All joint pain is arthritis

Reality: While joint pain is a common symptom of arthritis, not all joint pain is caused by arthritis.

Dr. David Pisetsky, professor of medicine and immunology at Duke University School of Medicine, explains, “Joint pain can be caused by various conditions, including injuries, bursitis, or even certain medications. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional” [8].

Myth 6: Arthritis is just minor aches and pains

Reality: Arthritis can be a debilitating condition that significantly impacts quality of life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that arthritis is a leading cause of work disability in the United States [9]. Dr. Meika Fang, rheumatologist at the University of California San Francisco, states, “Arthritis can cause severe pain, limit mobility, and affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities. It’s much more than just ‘aches and pains'” [10].

Myth 7: There’s nothing you can do about arthritis

Reality: While there’s no cure for most types of arthritis, there are many effective treatments and management strategies.

The American College of Rheumatology provides guidelines for managing various types of arthritis [11]. Dr. Vivian Bykerk, rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery, notes, “With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many people with arthritis can lead active, fulfilling lives” [12].

Myth 8: Cold, damp weather causes arthritis

Reality: While some people with arthritis report that their symptoms worsen in certain weather conditions, the weather doesn’t cause arthritis.

A study published in the journal Pain found no consistent relationship between weather conditions and arthritis pain [13]. Dr. Ira Rashbaum, rheumatologist at NYU Langone Health, explains, “Weather changes might influence arthritis symptoms, but they don’t cause the condition itself” [14].

Myth 9: Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements cure arthritis

Reality: While some people find these supplements helpful, scientific evidence for their effectiveness is mixed.

A large-scale study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination did not reduce pain effectively in the overall group of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee [15]. Dr. Elena Losina, professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, advises, “Patients should discuss the potential benefits and risks of these supplements with their healthcare provider” [16].

Myth 10: Arthritis is a single disease

Reality: Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 different conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues.

The Arthritis Foundation recognizes over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions [17]. Dr. John Cush, rheumatologist and professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, emphasizes, “Understanding the specific type of arthritis a person has is crucial for determining the most effective treatment approach” [18].

By debunking these myths, we hope to promote a better understanding of arthritis and encourage those affected to seek appropriate care and management strategies.

References:

[1] Goodman, S. (2020). Arthritis Foundation. “Arthritis Myths Debunked.” [2] Deweber, K., et al. (2011). Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. “Knuckle Cracking and Hand Osteoarthritis.” [3] Klapper, R. (2019). Cedars-Sinai Blog. “Cracking the Myth About Knuckle Cracking.” [4] Arthritis Foundation. (2021). “Benefits of Exercise for Arthritis.” [5] White, P. (2018). Arthritis Foundation. “How Exercise Helps Your Joints.” [6] Forsyth, C., et al. (2018). Arthritis Research & Therapy. “The effects of the Mediterranean diet on rheumatoid arthritis prevention and treatment: a systematic review of human prospective studies.” [7] Hu, F. (2020). Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Diet Review: Anti-inflammatory Diet.” [8] Pisetsky, D. (2019). Arthritis Foundation. “When Joint Pain Isn’t Arthritis.” [9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). “Arthritis-Related Statistics.” [10] Fang, M. (2020). UCSF Rheumatology. “Understanding the Impact of Arthritis.” [11] American College of Rheumatology. (2021). “ACR Guidelines.” [12] Bykerk, V. (2019). Hospital for Special Surgery. “Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Arthritis.” [13] Beukenhorst, A.L., et al. (2020). Pain. “Weather Conditions and Pain in Arthritis: A Quantitative Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” [14] Rashbaum, I. (2018). NYU Langone Health. “Arthritis and Weather: What’s the Link?” [15] Clegg, D.O., et al. (2006). New England Journal of Medicine. “Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis.” [16] Losina, E. (2017). Harvard Health Blog. “The latest on glucosamine/chondroitin supplements.” [17] Arthritis Foundation. (2021). “Types of Arthritis.” [18] Cush, J. (2020). RheumNow. “Understanding Different Types of Arthritis.”