Meet Our Newest Rheumatology Fellows

People living with arthritis rely on the special expertise of a rheumatologist. However, having access to one can be difficult due to a severe shortage across the country. The Arthritis Foundation has committed to help close the gap on the rheumatologist shortage by funding grants to universities in underserved areas, providing $150,000 to support new fellowship programs. Five schools were funded for three adult and two pediatric rheumatology fellowships, running from July 2020 to July 2021. Two of the fellows have been named for adult fellowship programs funded by the Arthritis Foundation: Dr. Kurt Blake at the University of Alabama at ...more

It’s Manly to Admit Your Pain – My Journey to Do Just That

By Jed Finley, founder, Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis support group I’ve had ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for 26 years. I’ve been an advocate for people with AS for half of that time, and what I have learned is that guys don’t like to admit they are in pain. Support groups are 66% female, even though current diagnosis rates favor males by the same amount. The numbers are backwards, for the simple fact that men do not like to admit they need support. And I’ll admit it, I used to be the same way. Jed Finley I was 12 years old when I was diagnosed. At ...more

A Remote Bike Ride of a Lifetime

Three orthopedic surgeons share their plans to ride the California Coast Classic Bike Tour in support of their patients. The Arthritis Foundation’s premier cycling event is switching gears this year. For the first time, the California Coast Classic Bike Tour will be run as an all-remote ride. The newly minted event, dubbed the Remote Ride X CCC Challenge (RR X CCC), was created to be flexible and accessible, and in future years, will be run in parallel with the traditional in-person tour down Pacific ­­Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Presented by Amgen, the RR X CCC has no registration ...more

Survey Results: Nearly 1/3 of Patients Report Osteoarthritis is Not Well-Managed

For many of the 30 million people in the U.S. who live with osteoarthritis (OA), pain is the most difficult symptom to manage. The Arthritis Foundation conducted a survey asking people with osteoarthritis to share their current top concerns and needs, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 2,000 people responded, with 64% of survey respondents reporting they have had OA for 10 years or longer. Patients with OA are tired of trying treatments that don’t work. They want more options to treat the pain and stiffness that are limiting their ability to do the activities they want and need to do every ...more

August Arthritis News Roundup

The Arthritis Foundation is your trusted source for information, and we’re staying on top of the latest arthritis-related news that could affect you. Here’s what you need to know about some of the headlines from this past month. CDC Clarifies Media Reports Regarding Updated COVID-19 Isolation Guidance The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement about updated COVID-19 isolation guidance. The statement released on August 14 made three important clarifications: A person can continue to test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) up to three months after diagnosis and not be infectious to others A person is ...more

Sleep & Painsomnia

By Rebecca Gillett, MS OTR/L – Live Yes! With Arthritis Podcast Co-Host  Sleep and pain. These two words don’t play well together when you live with arthritis or any type of chronic illness that involves living with daily pain. Those of you who have joint pain know what I’m talking about when I say “painsomnia.” That’s what I like to call it. You’re exhausted, fatigued and in pain. All you want and need is some good quality sleep. Yet, pain comes to haunt you just as you settle in to attempt a good night’s sleep, or you fall asleep fast due ...more

Patient Perspectives: Navigating Telemedicine Throughout the Pandemic

Maintaining your health care visits can often feel like a full-time job – the trip to and from, the parking, the waiting, the paperwork, the missed school and work. And during these unprecedented times, it can be extremely taxing and hazardous as the threat of COVID-19 continues to grow. Many patients in the arthritis community have been adding telemedicine visits with their health care providers into their routines to mitigate these stresses. To learn more, the Arthritis Foundation surveyed more than 3,300 patients about their experience of care throughout the pandemic and how telemedicine has become a tool in accessing care. ...more

July Arthritis News Roundup

The Arthritis Foundation is your trusted source for information, and we’re staying on top of the latest arthritis-related news that could affect you. Here’s what you need to know about some of the headlines from this past month. Coronavirus and Arthritis News The new coronavirus pandemic has created a new normal for us and has changed the way you manage your arthritis. We’re keeping you updated on the latest developments, and talking to top experts to get credible, reliable information you need to know about COVID-19 and how it may impact you. Get the latest in our Care & Connect resource center. Newly ...more

Back to School in COVID-19? Know Your Rights!

By Julie Eller, co-host of the Live Yes With Arthritis Podcast  To me, there is no greater joy than sharpening a Dixon Ticonderoga Number Two pencil on the first day of school. I have always been the nerdiest of nerds, a happy bookworm who counted down the days of summer until the fateful day when I could return to class. As I think of all the changes our school-aged children and young adults have faced since the start of the pandemic, the one that has weighed most heavily on my heart are those students whose hopeful back-to-school countdown has been prolonged indefinitely.    This year, as we think about returning to classrooms, the conversation is very different ...more

Making Copays Count in Your State

Written by Ryan Precht In the arthritis community, we know that medications can be expensive. I have had arthritis since I was just 2 years old, and my treatments have run the gamut of costs. From $20,000 for an in-office infusion, to $4,000 for at home infusions, I’ve seen it all. As an adult, I treat my arthritis with home infusions, which cost around $5,000. Fortunately, I learned about a manufacturer copayment assistance program that covers most of that cost, leaving me with a manageable $50 payment each month. Without this program, affording my treatment would be impossible. Learning about this program ...more