Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease.
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 day. “Pain is debilitating. My back and hip pain are so bad that I have trouble getting out of ...more
Step Therapy
I started having symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at just 14 years old. I knew something was wrong when I started having swelling in my knee. It took two years of misdiagnoses and treatments before being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As a teenager I went from managing my academic and social calendar to also managing an incurable chronic illness. By graduation, my arthritis had spread to over 5 joints affecting my hands, knees, ankles, and feet. As I started college, I also started weekly injections and a collegiate soccer career. I was told by many that maintaining my health and ...more
CVS Steps Up to Support the Arthritis Community During COVID-19
There’s a lot to feel uncertain about in the world right now: When will schools and businesses reopen? Will I continue to have access to my medications and health care team? When will researchers find a treatment for COVID-19? How long will it take for families and economies to recover? Despite the many questions on most of our minds, there are a few things we know for sure: 100% of people with arthritis report weekly pain that interferes with day-to-day activities. Seven in 10 arthritis patients have trouble working, including working from home. Two-thirds of people with arthritis felt depressed, ...more
May 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 to live in and has changed the way you are able to 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 and your arthritis. Find ...more
#WeLiveYes – Trying Telemedicine
Telemedicine Connections in New York with the McCormicks My name is Amy McCormick. I have a child with juvenile arthritis and I’m a teacher of students with special needs. My family and I live in New York, one of the states most heavily impacted by COVID-19. While the world slows down and shelter-in-place orders keep people at home, our need to ensure my daughter gets the medical attention she requires for her arthritis hasn’t stopped. Because arthritis doesn’t stop — we’ve been staying on top of Kylie’s care by using telemedicine. During this time of global pandemic, we have all taken steps ...more
Why 30 Million Americans Have a Reason to Celebrate
A Powerful New Partnership with Voltaren to Reduce OA Pain What do 30 million Americans have in common? Pain. The kind that’s often invisible but makes moving, walking and enjoying daily life a challenge because of osteoarthritis (OA). But today, they also share something else — hope. That’s because the Arthritis Foundation has announced a multi-year partnership with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare’s (GSK) Voltaren Arthritis Pain to improve the quality of life for people living with OA and provide virtual care and connection to the patient community. GSK’s Voltaren Arthritis Pain, available starting May 13, 2020, is the first and only over-the-counter prescription strength NSAID ...more
Pediatric Rheumatologists on the Front Lines of Mystery Illness Affecting Children
As your trusted source for information on the latest arthritis news during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Arthritis Foundation is committed to keeping you updated on research and information relevant to our community. Recently, a mystery illness thought to be related to the new coronavirus has been showing up in children. It bears similarities to Kawasaki disease, a rheumatic disease that can cause joint pain. Despite similarities to Kawasaki disease – including fever for several days, rash, red eyes and other symptoms – it appears this is a unique syndrome. This new, sometimes fatal syndrome goes by several names internationally, but is ...more
#WeLiveYes Take Care of Yourself, Emotionally & Physically
Now more than ever, it’s important to take care of your physical AND emotional health Right now, it’s probably difficult enough to take care of your physical health, but your emotional health is just as important. If your body hurts, your emotions follow; and if your emotions are hurt, your body wants to slow down. Social distancing and shelter-in-place orders can make us feels isolated and alone, especially when there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Cindy Copenhaver has a long history of helping arthritis patients from teaching athletic programs for the Arthritis Foundation in the early 90s to speaking ...more