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Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support.
Support usThe word 'arthritis' is used to describe pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint or joints. Arthritis isn’t a single condition and there are several different types. It can affect people of all ages – even children.
What is arthritis?When you've been diagnosed with arthritis, you can feel lost and alone. You may have been waiting for months or years for answers. We'll guide you through your next steps with trusted information and sound advice.
Guide to arthritis diagnosisLiving with arthritis can be challenging and we understand what you're going through. We bring you the information, help and support you need to stay healthy, manage your condition, keep active, stay well at home and cope with your work and money.
Living with arthritis
Long-term pain can affect how you get on with your day but it’s important to remain as active as possible as lack of movement can lead to loss of strength and coordination. Trying these self-help tips may help to relieve pain and minimise the pain relief medicines you need to take.
We’ve been lucky to enjoy some warm days recently and while most of us love a bit of sunshine, the warmer weather can affect some people with arthritis. Some people find hot and humid summer weather can make symptoms worse.
Created specially for people living with arthritis, every edition of Inspire magazine is packed with expert, in-depth articles and features, covering what matters most to you — all for just £3 a month.
Each year our amazing fundraisers take on challenges around the UK and together we are pushing back against arthritis. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge, or have already secured a place, we’d love to support you every step of the way.
Fundraise your own way! Only with the incredible support of people like you, who give their valuable time, energy and commitment, can we campaign, care and research our way towards a future free from arthritis. Get fundraising ideas and if you're ready to get started, order a fundraising guide.
Our research has transformed the care of people with hip and knee osteoarthritis through the development and delivery of a six-week programme of education, exercise and self-management, called ESCAPE-pain.
ESCAPE pain programmeResearch funded by Arthritis UK led to the development of a new treatment to repair damaged cartilage in early-stage osteoarthritis called Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), which is now available on the NHS.
Knee cartilage regenerationArthritis UK funded the development of a personalised approach to treating back pain called the Start Back tool. This new approach enables GPs to quickly and easily group patients according to the treatment likely to work best for them.
STarT Back for back pain
Your lottery ticket will help fund the next big leap in arthritis care. Not just a game, a game changer. You can help fund the early research that made our research achievements a reality.
Gifts in Wills fund a third of our work, providing support and hope to so many. By considering a gift in your Will, you can help ensure that future generations won’t have to face the impact of arthritis. Our Gifts in Wills team will support you.
Learn how to manage pain, sleep, fatigue and anxiety, and how to improve your emotional wellbeing, in live online sessions. We also offer a five-week supported self-management course, online physical activity sessions and Chi Me gentle movement classes.
Arthritis UK is partnering with Professor Sir Michael Marmot and the Institute of Health Equity at University College London (UCL) to better understand the links between health inequalities and arthritis.
Tackling health inequalitiesMillions of people are waiting too long for an arthritis diagnosis, treatment and the vital support they need to live well. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new UK government has an opportunity to change this.
New government must act now'The Silent Treatment: Why an Arthritis Diagnosis Matters', brings together insights from people with arthritis and health professionals to highlight the barriers faced in achieving a timely and personalised arthritis diagnosis.
Why diagnosis matters
The State of Musculoskeletal Health report is a collection of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions including how many people have these conditions, the number at risk of developing these conditions, the impact of these on people, health systems and society, and the inequalities found within. Examine key findings and download the report.
We are a loudspeaker for the 10 million people living with arthritis in the UK today. Together with our campaigners, we took 187,839 actions last year, influencing decision makers in all four nations so that everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments and support they need.
In 2022, Conall, aged just 25, was barely able to walk. Two years later, he was diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis and began treatment which has left him pain free.
Read Conall's storyJunior Bake Off star Lyla's inspiring journey as she battles juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and finds a way to give back through her recipe booklet, in support of Arthritis UK.
Read Lyla's storyJega graduated university last year and began volunteering for Arthritis UK. He says sharing his own experiences to help others with arthritis has been ‘empowering’.
Read Jega's story
So many people don’t understand what it’s like to live with a condition that can have such a huge but hidden impact on your life. But we do. One place you can always find a friendly ear or an answer to a question is our online community forum.