Key points
- Many types — the pattern matters
- Gentle daily movement helps
- Weight affects the knees
- Hot, red, swollen joint with fever = urgent
What it is
Arthritis means inflammation of a joint. The two most common kinds are osteoarthritis — wear and tear of the cartilage, usually in knees, hips and hands with age — and rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system inflames the joints.
Joint pain can also come from gout, injury, thyroid problems or low vitamin D, so a proper assessment matters.
Common signs
- Pain and stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest
- Swelling, warmth or redness of joints
- Reduced movement, or a grating feeling in the knee
- In rheumatoid arthritis: the same small joints on both hands or feet, with morning stiffness over 30 minutes
- Tiredness
Things that make it worse
- Extra body weight on the knees and hips
- Long periods without moving
- Old injuries
- Cold, damp weather for some people
- Stress and poor sleep in inflammatory arthritis
Everyday care that helps
- Keep moving — gentle walking, cycling or swimming
- Strengthen the thigh muscles to support the knees
- Keep a healthy weight
- Use warm compresses for stiffness
- Choose supportive footwear; avoid squatting and sitting cross-legged for long if knees hurt
- Ask your doctor about checking vitamin D
When to see a doctor promptly
- A single joint becomes suddenly hot, red, swollen and very painful, especially with fever
- Joint pain after a fall or injury with inability to bear weight
- Rapid swelling of many joints
- Unexplained weight loss or fever with joint pain
How we approach it at Gursagar
We take a detailed history of which joints hurt, when and how, morning stiffness, family history and general health, review your reports, and examine the joints.
Dr. Shah prescribes classical homoeopathic medicine chosen for you individually, with exercise and lifestyle advice, reviewed at follow-ups. Medicines from your other doctors continue unless they advise otherwise.
Common questions
Should I rest painful joints?
Short rest during a flare is fine, but long-term inactivity makes stiffness worse.
Do I need blood tests?
Often yes, to tell the type of arthritis apart; your doctor will advise.
Can I consult online?
Yes, with your reports and a short video of how the joint moves.
Practising classical homoeopathy since 1999 · Gursagar Homoeopathic Hospital, Rajpura & Chandigarh · Full profile →
Would you like Dr. Shah to look at your case?
Consult in person at Rajpura or Chandigarh, or online from anywhere in India and abroad.
This article is for general health education and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Every person is assessed individually, and results differ from person to person. Please do not stop or change any medicine prescribed to you without speaking to your doctor. Dr. Randeep Singh Shah, D.H.M.S., AFHom (UK) · Reg. No. 2423-A.