Arthritis stories

Diagnosed with JIA at 15, Lucy posts videos on TikTok because she’s passionate about raising awareness and dispelling the myth that arthritis doesn’t affect the young.

From the age of seven, Heather's arthritis symptoms were dismissed as sporting injuries and ‘growing pains’. Her childhood experience of arthritis inspired her career as a doctor.

Diagnosed with JIA as a baby, Megan has adapted her dancing using crutches and a wheelchair because she believes that you can always find a way to do the things you love. 

Diagnosed at just 5 years old, Madeleine has had both hips replaced along with both knees. She jokes that her medical team describes her as “the bionic woman”. 

Sheree was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 15, when a knee injury sparked an investigation which led to a diagnosis of arthritis. Over the years, her condition impacted other joints.

Diagnosed with JIA when she was 3, Imaani was diagnosed with JIA-related uveitis – an inflammatory eye condition that can lead to vision loss if not quickly treated. 

73-year-old John Winnik from Harrogate, Yorkshire, has been living with osteoarthritis since 2017. As the condition of his hips worsened, his career was significantly impacted.

Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, Christie uses social media to share her experience of living with a chronic condition and inspire other young people to live life to the full.

It took four years for Penny to receive a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis. Thanks to the new drugs and research funded by Arthritis UK, she now leads a healthy, pain-free life.

Bobbie from was diagnosed with arthritis as a teenager. His diagnosis had an impact on him both physically and mentally. Due to lack of flexibility in his workplace, he eventually had to leave his job and start out on his own.

Diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis as a teenager, Amy was silently struggling in constant pain at school and had to fight to get support. Now, training to be a doctor, she worries how she'll cope with fatigue.

Living with osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, Tina is incapacitated with shoulder immobility and lives in constant pain. She has been waiting for a double shoulder replacement and wrist surgery for three years.

Mary lives with multiple musculoskeletal conditions and has been waiting since 2019 for shoulder surgery and spinal surgery. She had to retire early from her work and suffers from excruciating pain.

Nick lives with osteoarthritis in both his hips and right knee. Nick tells us how playing competitive table tennis helps him to manage his pain and shares his tips on staying physically active while living with osteoarthritis.

Charlie was diagnosed with reactive arthritis at 18. A keen runner, Charlie shares his inspirational story about how he went from thinking he'd never run again to now being captain of his university's running society. 

Previously a keen runner and badminton player, Jon was diagnosed with arthritis of the knees. He changed his exercise routine to stay active and adopted strength training at the gym to protect his joints.

Heather, who lives with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), opens up about her journey towards being a volunteer and Tai Chi instructor for Arthritis UK and how it has helped her to manage her condition.

Diagnosed with lupus at age 14, Varshi learned how to adapt. Now studying medicine at university, she tells how she is on Arthritis UK's Young People's Panel, and wants to share her tips to help other students with arthritis. 

Diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) when he was 18, Rhys is now training to be a sprinter. He shares his story, emphasising how arthritis doesn't have to limit what you can do.

James, 30, lives with rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. He shares his dating experiences and gives practical tips and advice around open communication. 

People of all ages who live with arthritis talk about how being creative provides distraction, expression and joy, helping to manage arthritis pain of arthritis. Read their experiences.