Arthritis is surrounded by myths. Some are harmless. Others stop people getting diagnosed, keep them from moving, or make them give up on treatment. Here are six of the most damaging, and what the evidence really says.
Myth 1: "It's just an old person's disease"
Osteoarthritis does become more common with age, and usually starts from the late 40s (NHS, n.d.). But inflammatory arthritis is different. Rheumatoid arthritis is most often diagnosed around the age of 50, in the middle of working life (Arthritis UK, n.d.a). Around 12,000 children and young people in the UK have juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), about 1 in every 1,000 under-16s (NRAS, n.d.).
Brushing off joint pain as "growing pains" or "just getting older" can delay diagnosis. That matters: starting intensive treatment within 12 weeks of symptoms increases the chance of remission and reduces long-term joint damage (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).
Myth 2: "Damp weather causes arthritis"
Moving to the Sahara would not cure your arthritis. But feeling worse in certain weather is not in your head. A large UK smartphone study found people with long-term pain, mostly arthritis, were around 20% more likely to have a painful day when it was humid, windy and low-pressure (University of Manchester, 2019). One theory is that changes in air pressure affect tissues inside the joint, but scientists are not yet sure why.
Myth 3: "Arthritis is just wear and tear"
This phrase is misleading and can be harmful. Joints are made of living tissue that your body constantly repairs and maintains, and they get stronger with use (Arthritis UK, 2023). Osteoarthritis happens when a joint can no longer repair itself as well as it once did (Arthritis UK, n.d.b).
Key insight: rest can make it worse
If you think your joints are "wearing out", you may avoid moving them. But without movement, muscles weaken and joints get stiffer and more painful (Arthritis UK, 2023). Exercise can reduce pain and improve how well your joints work (Arthritis UK, n.d.b). Motion is lotion.
Myth 4: "Tomatoes are poison"
Some people cut out "nightshade" vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergines. But Arthritis UK says research has shown no link between these vegetables and inflammation (Arthritis UK, n.d.c). Cutting them out can mean missing valuable nutrients. Arthritis UK recommends a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, pulses, nuts and olive oil. If you think a food affects you, talk to a health professional before cutting it out.
Myth 5: "Cracking your knuckles caused this"
The "pop" is not bone grinding on bone. It is bubbles bursting in the fluid that lubricates the joint (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020). One US doctor, Donald Unger, cracked the knuckles of his left hand at least twice a day for 50 years, but not his right. Neither hand developed arthritis, and there was no difference between them (Unger, 1998).
Myth 6: "There's nothing I can do"
This myth breeds resignation, and it is simply not true. For inflammatory arthritis, modern medicines, including biologics and JAK inhibitors, can target the parts of the immune system causing damage (NHS, n.d.). For osteoarthritis, exercise and weight management can reduce pain and ease the load on joints like hips and knees (Arthritis UK, n.d.b).
Resignation is not a treatment plan. If your pain is not well managed, go back to your GP or rheumatology team, and ask about other options. Read up on treatments in Arthritis UK's A to Z of arthritis medicines, or order free information booklets.
References
Arthritis UK (2023) 7 arthritis myths and the facts. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/news/2023/october/7-common-myths-about-arthritis-and-how-you-can-help-us-challenge-them/
Arthritis UK (n.d.a) Rheumatoid arthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
Arthritis UK (n.d.b) Osteoarthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/
Arthritis UK (n.d.c) Are tomatoes bad for arthritis? Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/living-with-arthritis/health-and-wellbeing/eating-well-with-arthritis/are-tomatoes-bad-for-arthritis/
Harvard Health Publishing (2020) Does cracking knuckles cause arthritis? Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/does-cracking-knuckles-cause-arthritis
NHS (n.d.) Arthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
NRAS (n.d.) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. Available at: https://nras.org.uk/resource/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/
Unger, D.L. (1998) 'Does knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers?', Arthritis & Rheumatism, 41(5), p. 949. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9588755/
University of Manchester (2019) Cloudy with a Chance of Pain? Smartphone study shows pain more likely on humid, windy days. Available at: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-pain-smartphone-study-shows-pain-more-likely-on-humid-windy-days/
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Important medical disclaimer
The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, psychiatrist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Never start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.
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