The Silent Treatment: arthritis diagnosis delays leaving too many in pain and in limbo

May 26 2026

Fitness enthusiast left in ‘constant pain’ warns of severe consequences of delayed arthritis diagnosis

London, 26 May 2026: Too many people with arthritis are being left in pain, uncertainty and without vital support while waiting for a diagnosis, according to a new report from Arthritis UK. 

With more than 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK living with arthritis, the charity warns that delays in an arthritis diagnosis can have major consequences for people’s health, work and independence. The uncertainty of not knowing what is wrong can also take a major toll on mental wellbeing, make conditions harder to treat while creating wider costs for the NHS and the economy.

The Silent Treatment: Why an Arthritis diagnosis matters reveals that delays are often caused not by one single long wait, but by a series of barriers across the diagnosis pathway. Symptoms may be dismissed as minor, mistaken for ageing or work-related strain, or not recognised as arthritis at all. Once people seek help, they can face further hurdles such as difficulty getting appointments, delays accessing tests, or long waits for specialist referrals. 

Last year, Arthritis UK research report, Left Waiting, Left Behind: The Reality of Living with Arthritis highlighted the scale of the problem. Among respondents with a diagnosis, 38% said getting a diagnosis took too long and 54% reported unreasonable waits or delays to see the relevant specialist. 

This new report builds on that evidence by piecing together how these delays are experienced in real life. 

Drawing on lived experience workshops and focus groups, as well as input from health and care professionals, the report found that diagnosis is about far more than a medical label. For many, it provides reassurance, recognition and a route to treatment, information and support after months or years of pain and uncertainty. The sense of finally knowing that pain and symptoms were real and recognised was an area many found hugely comforting. This benefit is reflected in the charity's previous findings, with 62% agreeing that receiving a diagnosis validated their experiences[1].

One focus group participant said: “A diagnosis helped me feel like I wasn’t going mad.”

Another said: “The validation is so important. It gives you a huge sense of relief that you haven’t been imagining it. It would have been really good to have had that some years earlier, when I was still working and in so much pain”

Arthritis UK says these experiences highlight the urgent need for UK governments to prioritise arthritis and related conditions and support health and care professionals operating in an already stretched system. This could be faster, clearer routes to diagnosis with improved training for healthcare staff, including better recognition of symptoms, timely referral to specialist care and tailored support for people. 

Case Study - Oscar Stevenson is a 34-year-old personal trainer and yoga teacher from Shepherds Bush, London.

In June 2022 Oscar randomly started to feel stiff all the time, and experienced unusual clicking sensations in his finger. He put it down to his intense training regime until one morning in August it felt like his feet had stopped working and he just couldn’t get out of bed. He sought help from sports therapists, who had injury related theories, but none suspected psoriatic arthritis. 

What followed was an odyssey, speaking to different professionals and trialling medications. Oscar has finally managed his symptoms with the drug Adalimubab, which he describes as truly life changing. Oscar is now active on TikTok, sharing his story and hoping to inspire people who might not be aware that arthritis can affect anyone, irrespective of age or fitness. 

“Finally getting a diagnosis was a turning point for me. As someone who had always been extremely fit and active, it was unthinkable to suddenly be in constant pain – it felt like my body was giving up and I deteriorated so much that without medication I might have ended up in a wheelchair.  

“It was a terribly confusing time waiting and I was in denial. When I did get a diagnosis from a specialist, I was eventually prescribed Adalimumab and, just a month later, I was back weight training and against all odds, I’m fitter than ever. I feel very fortunate to be in remission, but I’m smart enough to recognise I’m not invincible.”

Oscar’s experience is, unfortunately, far too common for people of all ages and backgrounds who are living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions and shows why an early access to diagnosis and treatment is critical in supporting someone’s wellbeing.

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK:

“Getting the right diagnosis quickly can be life changing. When diagnosis is delayed, the consequences can be significant with people left in pain, uncertainty and without the support, treatment and information they need. In some cases, conditions may worsen while people wait, causing long-term damage and leaving people feeling isolated and alone.

“Delayed diagnosis has a wider cost. When people cannot access the care they need, it can affect their ability to work, care for families or live independently while further pressurising already stretched health services.

“Governments across the UK need to treat arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions with the urgency they deserve. Faster routes to diagnosis, earlier intervention, better awareness and support must become a national priority.”

Arthritis UK is launching this report as part of Arthritis Awareness Month running throughout May.

ENDS

About Arthritis UK

Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support. 

Over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis. That’s one in six of us living with the pain, fatigue, disability, mental and financial strain it can cause. Many more live with arthritis but remain undiagnosed, untreated and unsupported. 

We know the impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently. Yet for a condition affecting so many, it’s poorly understood and far too little is done. That’s why we invest in life-changing research into better treatments, support people through the daily challenges of life with arthritis, and campaign on the issues that matter most to people living with it. 

At Arthritis UK, we won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access to treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope for a cure in the future. Find out more at: www.arthritis-uk.org 

Arthritis UK. For a future free from arthritis.  

Notes to editors

•    The Silent Treatment: Why an Arthritis diagnosis matters, is a new report from Arthritis UK exploring the human and systemic impact of delays to arthritis diagnosis. 
•    The report draws on lived experience workshops and focus groups with people living with arthritis across the UK, alongside previous research on access to appointments, tests and specialist care, which is referenced in the notes.
•    Arthritis UK are launching this report as part of Arthritis Awareness Month, a 50-year-old initiative led by the US Arthritis foundation. Taking part for the first time this year, Arthritis UK are aiming to support and establish an annual global moment focused on arthritis and its impact on lives, communities and health services.
•    The 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. Around 10 million people in the UK are thought to have arthritis. It can affect people of all ages – even children and teenagers. Some forms of arthritis are more common in older people.
•    Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis linked to psoriasis where the immune system attacks the body’s joints, causing inflammation, swelling, stiffness, pain and damage to the joints. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition affecting the skin and around 1 in 4 people who have psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Some people may develop psoriatic arthritis without noticeable skin psoriasis. Prevalence: 200,000 people in the UK have a probable diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.
•    Early diagnosis can improve access to treatment, pain management, self-management support and, for some conditions, help prevent permanent joint damage. 
•    Delays to diagnosis can affect physical health, mental wellbeing, employment, finances and independence. 
•    Interviews are available with case studies and spokespeople from Arthritis UK
•    For more information, contact the Press Office: press@arthritis-uk.org | 0300 7900456