Overcoming Transport Poverty: Your Guide to the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

Living with a long-term condition drains your energy. It should not drain your bank account. Yet the cost of getting to hospital appointments stops some people from getting the care they need. This is sometimes called transport poverty.

If you are on a low income, the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) can pay you back. Equal care means equal access to the clinic door.

What is the HTCS?

The scheme refunds travel to a hospital or specialist for NHS treatment or tests, when a GP, dentist or other health professional has referred you. The appointment must be on a separate visit from the one where you were referred (NHS, n.d.a).

This guide covers England. Wales and Scotland have similar schemes, and Northern Ireland has its own Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (Marie Curie, n.d.). Ask your hospital how to claim.

Who can claim?

You can claim if you or your partner get:

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit, if your net earnings in your last assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if you have limited capability for work or a child element (NHSBSA, 2026)
• an HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Children can claim if you are eligible, and young people aged 16 or over can apply to the Low Income Scheme in their own right. If you need someone with you for medical reasons, their travel may be covered too. Some Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) also cover a parent's travel with a child under 16 (NHS, n.d.a).

What can you claim for?

Type of travel	What is covered
Bus, coach or train	Standard fares. The NHS pays the cheapest suitable way for you to travel.
Car	Mileage, at a rate set by your local ICB, plus parking and tolls you cannot avoid.
Taxi	Only if agreed with the hospital or ICB before you travel.
London	The Congestion Charge and ULEZ charge can be refunded.
Treatment abroad	Travel to the UK airport or port only. Travel beyond that needs NHS approval in advance.

Source: NHS (n.d.a).

What you cannot claim for

• visiting someone in hospital
• routine GP or dental visits, vaccinations or cervical screening
• out-of-hours urgent care between 6:30pm and 8am on weekdays, and at weekends and on bank holidays (NHS, n.d.a).

How to claim

1. Keep your receipts: tickets, parking and toll receipts.
2. Take your paperwork: your appointment letter and proof of benefits, such as an award letter or HC2 or HC3 certificate.
3. Claim on the day: go to the hospital cashier or patient office after your appointment.
4. Or claim by post: if there is no cashier, fill in an HC5(T) form within 3 months of your appointment (NHSBSA, n.d.a).
5. Need an escort? Ask your clinician to confirm this in writing before you travel.

Key insight: you do not have to pay first if you cannot afford to

You usually pay up front and claim later, and postal claims can take time. If you cannot afford the fare, contact the hospital or your local ICB about an advance payment before your appointment (NHS, n.d.a). Your hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can also help (NHS, n.d.c).

Too unwell to travel on your own?

If your condition means you need medical support on the journey or find it hard to walk, you may be able to get free non-emergency patient transport. Ask your GP or the health professional who referred you (NHS, n.d.b).

Where to get help

Organisation	Contact
NHSBSA (Low Income Scheme)	0300 330 1343, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm (NHSBSA, n.d.b)
NHSBSA (exemption certificates and PPCs)	0300 330 1341, same hours
Citizens Advice	Adviceline 0800 144 8848 (England), usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (Citizens Advice, n.d.)
Turn2us	Benefits calculator. For phone help, call its partner Help through Hardship on 0808 164 8817 (Turn2us, n.d.)
Arthritis UK	Helpline 0800 5200 520, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm

Read more about help with money in The Financial Squeeze.

References

Citizens Advice (n.d.) Contact us. Available at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Marie Curie (n.d.) Transport costs. Available at: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/information/money-and-work/transport-costs (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.a) Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.b) How to organise transport to and from hospital. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/going-into-hospital/how-to-organise-transport-to-and-from-hospital/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.c) What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)?. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHSBSA (2026) HC11: Help with health costs. Available at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2026-04/HC11%20(V28)%2004.2026.pdf (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHSBSA (n.d.a) Travel to receive NHS treatment. Available at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-travel-eye-care-wigs-and-fabric-support-costs/travel-receive-nhs-treatment (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHSBSA (n.d.b) Contact NHS help with health costs. Available at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/contact-nhs-help-health-costs (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Turn2us (n.d.) Contact us. Available at: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/contact-us (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

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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.

Not "just an older person’s disease": The Arthritis UK Young People and Families Service (YPFS) has your back

"But you're too young to have arthritis." It is one of the most common and most frustrating things young people with arthritis hear. Arthritis can affect anyone, at any age, including babies, children and teenagers.

The numbers	UK figure
Children and young people under 20 living with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition	600,000
Children under 16 diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)	At least 10,000
Children and young people diagnosed with JIA each year	About 1,000
Children affected by JIA	About 1 in 1,000

Sources: Arthritis UK (2025); JIA at NRAS (n.d.).

No young person should face arthritis alone

Arthritis UK's Young People and Families Service supports people under 25 with arthritis or a related condition, and their families. All events are free, fully funded and run by trained staff (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).

What the service offers

• One-to-one support: advice and a listening ear if you are struggling with a new diagnosis, medicines or school.
• Face-to-face events: from cinema trips and social meet-ups to weekends away, so you can meet others who understand.
• Online events: quizzes, scavenger hunts and workshops that build confidence, including talking to health professionals (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).
• Book clubs: two online groups, for 11 to 16-year-olds and 16 to 24-year-olds. Because sometimes support is not about medical talk; it is just about a good plot twist. There may be a waiting list (Arthritis UK, 2024).
• My Arthritis app: a free app to track symptoms and medicines and keep your healthcare team informed. The idea came from a young person in Northern Ireland, and it has replaced the old Arthritis Tracker app (Arthritis UK, n.d.b).

Have your say

• Young People's Panel (ages 16 to 25): raise awareness and campaign for better care (Arthritis UK, n.d.c).
• Your Rheum (ages 11 to 24): help shape rheumatology research (Arthritis UK, n.d.d).

Support in your nation

Nation	What's on	Contact
England	Regular social meet-ups for 11 to 18-year-olds in London, Manchester and the West Midlands (Arthritis UK, n.d.e).	YPFSUK@arthritis-uk.org
Scotland	Take Control (ages 10 to 18): workshops on pain and sleep, an activity weekend and the Joint Creativity arts project. Joint Potential (ages 16 to 25): residential weekends and workshops on themes such as self-image and positive futures (Arthritis UK, n.d.f).	takecontrol@arthritis-uk.org jointpotential@arthritis-uk.org
Wales	Youth and family workers at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, plus events across Wales (Arthritis UK, n.d.g).	YPFSWales@arthritis-uk.org
Northern Ireland	Residential weekends (ages 11 to 18), “adulting with arthritis” workshops (ages 12 to 18) on topics like alcohol, university and travel, family days and a parents' seminar (Arthritis UK, n.d.h).	northernireland@arthritis-uk.org 028 9078 2940

Key insight: help at school

Arthritis UK's information for schools includes an Individual Healthcare Plan template, a guide for staff, and a free awareness webinar. Schools must make sure arthritis does not hold a pupil back in lessons or exams (Arthritis UK, n.d.i).

How to get in touch

• Email: YPFSUK@arthritis-uk.org, or use the contact form. The team aims to reply within 3 working days.
• Helpline: 0800 5200 520, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
• JIA at NRAS: information and support for families on 0800 298 7650 (jia.org.uk).

More help for families

• Free Arthritis UK booklets, to download or order.
• AskSARA: a free report on gadgets that could help with daily tasks and schoolwork.
• Remap: volunteers make custom equipment for free.
• British Red Cross: short-term wheelchair hire.
• Our UK arthritis support directory, including CCAA, Juvenile Arthritis Research and Arthur's Place.

References

Arthritis UK (2024) Discover our book club for young people living with arthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/news/2024/january/discover-our-book-club-for-young-people-living-with-arthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (2025) The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2025. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/media/flpbvm2m/arthritisuk_state_of_msk_health_-report_2025.pdf (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.a) How we help young people and families. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/young-people-and-families/how-we-help-young-people-and-families/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.b) My Arthritis app. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/support-and-resources/my-arthritis-app/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.c) Young People's Panel. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/young-people-and-families/young-peoples-panel/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.d) Your Rheum. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/young-people-and-families/your-rheum/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.e) England. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/in-your-area/england/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.f) Scotland. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/in-your-area/scotland/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.g) Wales. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/in-your-area/wales/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.h) Northern Ireland. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/in-your-area/northern-ireland/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.i) Information for schools. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/young-people-and-families/information-for-schools/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

JIA at NRAS (n.d.) What is JIA?. Available at: https://jia.org.uk/resource/what-is-jia/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

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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.

Navigating the Noise: Your Essential Directory for Arthritis Support in the UK

Search for arthritis online and you will find miracle cures, expensive gadgets and a lot of noise. This directory cuts through it. Every organisation below is a UK charity, public body or established service, and we checked every link in September 2026.

Start here

Arthritis UK is the UK's main arthritis charity. Call its free helpline on 0800 5200 520 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm), order free information booklets, or find local support through In Your Area. For diagnosis and treatment, the NHS arthritis pages are the place to start.

Support for your condition

Organisation	How they can help
NRAS	Rheumatoid arthritis. Helpline 0800 298 7650 and an online peer community.
NASS	Axial spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis. Helpline 020 8741 1515, exercise videos and local sessions.
Royal Osteoporosis Society	Bone health. Specialist nurse helpline on 0300 102 3030, or ask for a free callback.
Lupus UK	Helpline, regional and online support groups, and details of specialist lupus nurses.
Fibromyalgia Action UK	Volunteer-run. Helpline 0300 999 3333 and a benefits helpline on 0300 999 0055.

Children, young people and families

Organisation	How they can help
Arthritis UK Young People and Families	Free one-to-one support, events and online activities for under-25s and their families.
JIA at NRAS	Information and support for families affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
CCAA	Volunteer-led charity running family weekends and local groups in England and Wales.
Juvenile Arthritis Research	Parent- and patient-led JIA charity, with resources for schools.
Arthur's Place	Online magazine and community for young adults with arthritis.
Your Rheum	Helps 11 to 24-year-olds shape rheumatology research. It is part of BANNAR, a UK network of adolescent rheumatology professionals.

Research

Be Part of Research, run by the NIHR with the other UK nations, lets you search for health studies and trials you could join.

Home, equipment and adaptations

Organisation	How they can help
AskSARA	Answer a few questions for a free, personalised report on gadgets and equipment that could help.
Remap	Volunteers design and build custom equipment, free of charge.
Adapt My Home	Explains Disabled Facilities Grants for home adaptations in England, worth up to £30,000, and finds your council's contact.
British Red Cross	Short-term wheelchair hire, with no GP referral needed.

See also our guide to arthritis aids and adaptations.

Money, bills and food

Organisation	How they can help
Turn2us	Free benefits calculator, grants search and PIP helper.
Citizens Advice	Help with benefits, debt and challenging decisions.
National Energy Action	Energy advice line 0800 304 7159 for help with heating bills.
Trussell	Food banks, accessed through a referral voucher.
Age UK	Free Advice Line 0800 678 1602, 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.

Read more in The Financial Squeeze.

Conditions that affect bones and joints

• Coeliac UK: coeliac disease can lead to osteoporosis (NHS, n.d.b). Helpline 0333 332 2033.
• Crohn's & Colitis UK: explains how Crohn's and colitis can affect the joints. Helpline 0300 222 5700.
• Women's Health Concern: the patient arm of the British Menopause Society, with factsheets on menopause and HRT.

Work and careers

Organisation	How they can help
Acas	Free, impartial advice on your rights at work, including reasonable adjustments.
Astriid	Employment support run by people with lived experience of long-term conditions.
Scope	Free one-to-one employment support for disabled people.
Disability Rights UK	Guides on benefits, Access to Work and your rights.
Evenbreak	Job board for disabled candidates, run by disabled people.
Youth Employment UK	Free online courses and CV tips for young people.

See our guide to returning to work with arthritis.

Key insight: how to spot a trustworthy source

Look for a registered charity number, an NHS or GOV.UK address, or clear clinical review. Be wary of anyone promising a cure or selling a product alongside their advice.

References

Acas (n.d.) Reasonable adjustments at work. Available at: https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Age UK (n.d.) Age UK. Available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.a) Arthritis UK. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.b) Free information booklets. Available at: https://shop.arthritis-uk.org/collections/free-information-booklets (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.c) How we help young people and families. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/young-people-and-families/how-we-help-young-people-and-families/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.d) In your area. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/in-your-area/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.e) Your Rheum. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/young-people-and-families/your-rheum/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthur's Place (n.d.) Arthur's Place. Available at: https://arthursplace.co.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Astriid (n.d.) Astriid. Available at: https://astriid.org/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

British Red Cross (n.d.) Hire a wheelchair. Available at: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/hire-a-wheelchair (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Children's Chronic Arthritis Association (n.d.) CCAA. Available at: https://www.ccaa.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Citizens Advice (n.d.) Benefits. Available at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Coeliac UK (n.d.) Coeliac UK. Available at: https://www.coeliac.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Crohn's & Colitis UK (n.d.) Joints. Available at: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/symptoms/joints (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Disability Rights UK (n.d.) Disability Rights UK. Available at: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Evenbreak (n.d.) Evenbreak. Available at: https://www.evenbreak.com/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Fibromyalgia Action UK (n.d.) Fibromyalgia Action UK. Available at: https://www.fmauk.org/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Foundations (n.d.) Adapt My Home. Available at: https://www.adaptmyhome.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Juvenile Arthritis Research (n.d.) Juvenile Arthritis Research. Available at: https://www.jarproject.org/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Living Made Easy (n.d.) AskSARA. Available at: https://asksara.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/selector (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Lupus UK (n.d.) Lupus UK. Available at: https://lupusuk.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (n.d.) NASS. Available at: https://nass.co.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

National Energy Action (n.d.) Get help. Available at: https://www.nea.org.uk/get-help/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (n.d.a) JIA at NRAS. Available at: https://jia.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (n.d.b) NRAS. Available at: https://www.nras.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.a) Arthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.b) Coeliac disease: complications. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/complications/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NIHR (n.d.) Be Part of Research. Available at: https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Remap (n.d.) Remap. Available at: https://remap.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Royal Osteoporosis Society (n.d.) Osteoporosis helpline. Available at: https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/support-and-resources/osteoporosis-helpline/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Scope (n.d.) Support to Work. Available at: https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/support-to-work/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Trussell (n.d.) Get a food voucher. Available at: https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/get-a-food-voucher (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Turn2us (n.d.) Turn2us. Available at: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Women's Health Concern (n.d.) Women's Health Concern. Available at: https://www.womens-health-concern.org/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Youth Employment UK (n.d.) Youth Employment UK. Available at: https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

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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.

How much sleep do you need - and how to improve it

Sleep is the foundation of good health. When you live with arthritis or long-term pain, it can feel like a vicious circle: pain makes it harder to sleep, and poor sleep makes pain feel worse. The good news is that small, evidence-based changes can help.

How much sleep do you need?

The NHS says most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night (NHS, n.d.a). Children and teenagers need more.

Age	Recommended sleep (hours per day)
Newborns (0 to 3 months)	14 to 17
Babies (4 to 11 months)	12 to 15
Toddlers (1 to 2 years)	11 to 14
Pre-school (3 to 5 years)	10 to 13
School age (6 to 13 years)	9 to 11
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)	8 to 10
Adults (18 to 64 years)	7 to 9
Older adults (65 and over)	7 to 8

Source: US National Sleep Foundation (Hirshkowitz et al., 2015). Needs vary from person to person.

Regularly sleeping too little is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and poor mental health.

What happens while you sleep

Each night, you move through several cycles of about 90 minutes. Light sleep takes up around half the night, as your muscles relax and your heart rate slows. Deep sleep, mostly early in the night, is when the body repairs tissue and strengthens the immune system. REM sleep, when most dreaming happens, grows longer towards morning and helps with memory and emotions.

Sleep tips that work

• Keep a routine: go to bed and get up at the same times every day, including weekends (NHS, n.d.a).
• Get morning light: natural light each morning helps reset your body clock (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).
• Have a warm bath: a review of studies found a warm bath or shower 1 to 2 hours before bed helped people fall asleep faster (Haghayegh et al., 2019). It can ease stiff joints, too.
• Use your bed for sleep: if you are still awake after around 20 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy (NHS, n.d.b).
• Cut down on stimulants: avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine for at least 6 hours before bed (NHS, n.d.a).
• Get comfortable: if you sleep on your side, a pillow between your knees can ease hip and back strain (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).
• Pace yourself: spreading activity through the day avoids the "boom and bust" pattern that can leave you too sore or wired to sleep.

Key insight: CBT works better than sleeping pills

If insomnia lasts, ask your GP about cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills because of side effects and the risk of dependence (NHS, n.d.a).

Supplements: what is the evidence?

Supplement	What the evidence says
Melatonin	Prescription-only in the UK. Usually prescribed short term for adults aged 55 and over, or on a specialist's advice (NHS, n.d.c). Do not buy it online.
Magnesium	Evidence for sleep is limited. See our post on magnesium and sleep.
Valerian root	A 2024 review of the evidence found no good proof that it treats insomnia (Valente et al., 2024).
L-theanine	Only a few small studies, so we cannot say whether it helps.

A 2025 study presented to the American Heart Association linked using melatonin for a year or more with a higher risk of heart failure. It was early, observational research that has not yet been peer reviewed, and it cannot prove that melatonin caused the problem (American Heart Association, 2025). Always talk to your GP or pharmacist before trying any supplement.

Could your medicine be keeping you awake?

Medicine	Possible effect on sleep	What can help
Prednisolone (steroid)	Difficulty sleeping	Take it in the morning (NHS, n.d.d)
Propranolol (beta-blocker)	Difficulty sleeping or nightmares	Speak to your GP if it continues (NHS, n.d.e)
Furosemide (water tablet)	Getting up at night to pee	Take it in the morning (NHS, n.d.f)
Sertraline (antidepressant)	Problems sleeping	Often eases after a couple of weeks (NHS, n.d.g)
Amitriptyline (for pain)	Feeling sleepy or drowsy	Take it in the evening (NHS, n.d.h)

Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.

Tiredness, work and driving

If poor sleep affects your job, you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments, such as a later start time. See our guide to returning to work with arthritis.

Never drive when you feel sleepy. You must tell the DVLA if you have moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea with excessive sleepiness, or another sleep condition that has caused excessive sleepiness for at least 3 months. You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not (GOV.UK, n.d.).

Where to get help

• Arthritis UK helpline: 0800 5200 520, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
• Free guide: Arthritis UK's Sleep and arthritis booklet (Arthritis UK, n.d.b).
• Worries keeping you up: try the NHS Tackling your worries techniques (NHS, n.d.i).

References

American Heart Association (2025) Long-term use of melatonin supplements to support sleep may have negative health effects. Available at: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/long-term-use-of-melatonin-supplements-to-support-sleep-may-have-negative-health-effects

Arthritis UK (n.d.a) Sleep. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/living-with-arthritis/health-and-wellbeing/sleep/

Arthritis UK (n.d.b) Sleep and arthritis [booklet]. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/media/daynqygz/a5-sleep-and-arthritis-booklet_digital.pdf

GOV.UK (n.d.) Obstructive sleep apnoea and driving. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/obstructive-sleep-apnoea-and-driving

Haghayegh, S. et al. (2019) 'Before-bedtime passive body heating by warm shower or bath to improve sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Sleep Medicine Reviews, 46, pp. 124–135. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31102877/

Hirshkowitz, M. et al. (2015) 'National Sleep Foundation's updated sleep duration recommendations: final report', Sleep Health, 1(4), pp. 233–243. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073398/

NHS (n.d.a) Insomnia. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/

NHS (n.d.b) How to fall asleep faster and sleep better. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/how-to-fall-asleep-faster-and-sleep-better/

NHS (n.d.c) Who can and cannot take melatonin. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin/who-can-and-cannot-take-melatonin/

NHS (n.d.d) Side effects of prednisolone tablets and liquid. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/prednisolone/side-effects-of-prednisolone-tablets-and-liquid/

NHS (n.d.e) Side effects of propranolol. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/propranolol/side-effects-of-propranolol/

NHS (n.d.f) How and when to take furosemide. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/furosemide/how-and-when-to-take-furosemide/

NHS (n.d.g) Side effects of sertraline. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sertraline/side-effects-of-sertraline/

NHS (n.d.h) Side effects of amitriptyline for pain and migraine. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amitriptyline-for-pain/side-effects-of-amitriptyline-for-pain-and-migraine/

NHS (n.d.i) Tackling your worries. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/self-help-cbt-techniques/tackling-your-worries/

Valente, D. et al. (2024) 'Does valerian work for insomnia? An umbrella review of the evidence', European Neuropsychopharmacology, 82. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X24000294

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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.

The Comprehensive Arthritis Glossary: Your Complete Translation Guide

Medical jargon is a barrier. It blocks your path to feeling better. If a clinic letter or appointment left you with more questions than answers, this glossary is for you. We have translated the most common arthritis words into plain English, grouped by topic so you can find what you need quickly.

Key insight: it is fine to ask

If a health professional uses a word you do not understand, ask them to explain it. You can also ask for a copy of your clinic letters. Arthritis UK has plain-English information on many arthritis conditions (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).

1. Conditions

Types of arthritis

Condition	What it means
Acute CPP crystal arthritis	Sudden, painful joint swelling caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals. It used to be called pseudogout.
Arthritis	An umbrella term for conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. It is not one single disease.
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)	Inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing long-term back pain and stiffness. It includes ankylosing spondylitis.
Gout	Inflammatory arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid, which forms sharp crystals in a joint.
Lyme arthritis	Joint swelling that can develop in later-stage Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by ticks.
Osteoarthritis (OA)	The most common type of arthritis. The joint is constantly repairing itself, but cartilage thins and the joint changes. It is not simply 'wear and tear', and it can affect the knee, hip, hand, wrist, foot, ankle, spine, elbow or shoulder.
Palindromic rheumatism	Rare attacks of sudden joint pain and swelling that clear up completely, then come back.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)	Inflammatory arthritis linked to psoriasis, a skin condition.
Reactive arthritis	Joint pain and swelling that starts 1 to 4 weeks after an infection elsewhere in the body, usually a stomach bug or a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia (NHS, n.d.b).
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)	An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints (the synovium), causing pain, swelling and stiffness.
Septic arthritis	A bacterial infection inside a joint. It is a medical emergency that needs hospital treatment with antibiotics.

Autoimmune, vasculitis and related conditions

Condition	What it means
Adult-onset Still's disease	A rare inflammatory condition causing high fevers, a salmon-pink rash and joint pain.
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)	An immune condition that makes blood more likely to clot.
Behçet's syndrome	A rare condition causing inflamed blood vessels, and mouth and genital ulcers.
Cryoglobulin-associated vasculitis	A rare condition where abnormal proteins in the blood clump together in the cold, blocking small blood vessels.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis	A rare type of vasculitis, once called Churg-Strauss syndrome. It often starts with asthma and sinus problems in adulthood.
Fibromyalgia	A long-term condition where the brain and nerves process pain differently, causing widespread pain, tenderness and tiredness.
Giant cell arteritis (GCA)	Inflammation of arteries in the head and neck. It needs urgent treatment to prevent sight loss.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis	A rare type of vasculitis that can affect the nose, sinuses, ears, lungs and kidneys.
IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura)	Inflammation of small blood vessels causing a purple, spotty rash. It mostly affects children.
Kawasaki disease	A rare condition in young children where blood vessels become swollen, with a high fever that lasts several days.
Lupus (SLE)	An autoimmune condition that can affect many parts of the body, causing joint pain, extreme tiredness and skin rashes.
Microscopic polyangiitis	A rare, long-term type of vasculitis that can affect the lungs, kidneys and nerves.
Myositis	A group of rare conditions causing long-term inflammation and weakness in the muscles.
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)	A rare condition causing inflammation in small and medium-sized arteries.
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)	An inflammatory condition causing pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck and hips, usually worst in the morning.
Raynaud's phenomenon	Blood vessels in the fingers and toes narrow in the cold or under stress, so they turn white or blue and feel numb.
Sjögren disease	An autoimmune condition that attacks the glands that make tears and saliva, causing very dry eyes and mouth.
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)	A rare autoimmune condition that makes the skin and connective tissue hard and tight.
Takayasu arteritis	A rare type of vasculitis that mainly affects the aorta, the body's main artery, and its branches.
Vasculitis	An umbrella term for rare conditions that cause inflammation of the blood vessels.

Arthritis in children and young people

Condition	What it means
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)	Arthritis that starts before the age of 16, where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints.
Oligoarthritis	The most common type of JIA, affecting about two-thirds of children with arthritis. It involves four or fewer joints, most often the knees (Arthritis UK, n.d.b).
Extended oligoarthritis	JIA that starts in four or fewer joints in the first 6 months, then spreads to five or more (Arthritis UK, n.d.c).
Polyarthritis	JIA affecting five or more joints in the first 6 months.
Systemic-onset JIA	JIA that affects the whole body, often starting with high fevers and a rash before joint pain.
Enthesitis-related JIA	JIA with inflammation where tendons attach to bone, such as the heel.

Bone and connective tissue conditions

Condition	What it means
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)	Ligaments and tendons, especially around the spine, harden and turn to bone.
Joint hypermobility	Joints that move further than usual. For some people this causes pain and dislocations.
Osteomalacia	Soft, weak bones, most often caused by a lack of vitamin D.
Osteoporosis	Bones lose strength and density, so they break more easily.
Paget's disease of bone	The normal cycle of bone renewal is disrupted, so bones can become enlarged, weak or misshapen.

Pain in specific areas

Condition	What it means
Achilles tendinopathy	Pain and swelling in the tendon joining the calf to the heel, often from overuse.
Back pain and neck pain	Very common, and usually caused by strained muscles or stiff joints rather than serious disease.
Bursitis	Inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled cushion near a joint, often at the elbow, knee or hip.
Calcific periarthritis	Calcium deposits around a joint, usually the shoulder, causing sudden, severe pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Pain, tingling and numbness in the hand caused by a squeezed nerve in the wrist.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)	Severe, long-lasting pain in a limb, often after an injury. The cause is not fully understood.
Elbow, shoulder, hip and knee pain	Often caused by strained tendons, injuries or osteoarthritis, rather than inflammatory arthritis.
Foot, ankle, hand and wrist pain	Often linked to footwear, repetitive strain, tendon problems or osteoarthritis, such as at the base of the thumb.
Hammer toes	A toe bends down at the middle joint. Tight shoes or arthritis can cause it.
Plantar heel pain	Pain under the heel, often called plantar fasciitis.
Tibialis posterior dysfunction	The tendon supporting the arch of the foot becomes inflamed or torn, leading to a flat foot and pain.
Valgus heel	The heel tilts outwards, which changes the way you walk.

2. Inside your joints

Body part	What it means
Bursa	A small fluid-filled cushion that stops tendons and muscles rubbing against bone.
Cartilage	A smooth, rubbery layer covering the ends of bones, so they glide easily.
Enthesis	The point where a tendon or ligament attaches to bone. Inflammation here is called enthesitis.
Joint capsule	A tough bag of tissue that surrounds a joint and holds the fluid in.
Ligament	A strong band of tissue joining one bone to another, keeping the joint stable.
Synovial fluid	A thick, slippery liquid inside the joint that works like oil in an engine.
Synovium	The thin lining inside the joint capsule that makes synovial fluid. It swells in inflammatory arthritis.
Tendon	A strong cord joining a muscle to a bone, so the bone moves when the muscle tightens.

3. Symptoms and clinical words

Term	What it means
Autoimmune	When the immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissue.
Chronic	Long-lasting.
Crepitus	A grating, cracking or popping sound or feeling in a joint.
Erosion	Damage where bone or cartilage has worn away, often seen on X-rays.
Fatigue	Deep exhaustion that sleep does not fix. It is common in autoimmune conditions.
Flare (flare-up)	A period when symptoms suddenly get worse.
Inflammation	The body's response to injury or disease, causing heat, redness, swelling and pain.
Morning stiffness	Stiff joints on waking. In rheumatoid arthritis it often lasts longer than 30 minutes (NHS, n.d.a).
Nodules	Firm lumps under the skin near joints, which some people with rheumatoid arthritis develop.
Remission	A period when symptoms are much reduced or gone.
Systemic	Affecting the whole body, or several organs.

4. Tests

Test	What it means
ANA (antinuclear antibody)	A blood test that looks for antibodies which attack the body's own cells. A positive result can point towards conditions such as lupus, but many healthy people test positive too.
CRP and ESR	Blood tests that measure how much inflammation there is in the body.

5. Medicines

Medicine	What it means
Corticosteroids (steroids)	Strong anti-inflammatory medicines, often used short term to calm a flare while slower medicines start to work.
DMARDs	Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate. They calm the immune system to control inflammatory arthritis and protect joints from damage. They are slow-acting and can take several weeks to work (Arthritis UK, n.d.d).
Intra-articular injection	An injection of medicine directly into a joint.
JAK inhibitors	A newer type of DMARD taken as a tablet, which blocks specific signals that drive inflammation inside cells.
NSAIDs	Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, which reduce pain and swelling.
Topical treatments	Gels and creams rubbed onto the skin over a painful joint, such as NSAID gels or capsaicin cream.

Key insight: give slow medicines time

DMARDs can take several weeks before you notice a difference, so keep taking them unless your rheumatology team tells you otherwise. Read more in The Pharmacy Fear Factor.

6. Therapies, self-management and support

Term	What it means
Access to Work, Attendance Allowance and PIP	Government support for people with long-term conditions. Access to Work is a grant for help at work; Attendance Allowance and PIP are benefits that are not means-tested.
Ergonomics and home adaptations	Changing your workspace, equipment or home to fit your body and protect your joints.
Hydrotherapy	Exercise in a warm pool. The warmth relaxes muscles and the water supports your weight.
Let's Move with Leon	A free 12-week Arthritis UK programme of 30-minute exercise sessions for people with arthritis (Arthritis UK, n.d.e).
Occupational therapy (OT)	Help to carry on with daily tasks, by changing how you do them or using aids and equipment.
Orthotics	Insoles or supports that help a part of the body, such as the foot, work better.
Pacing	Breaking tasks into smaller chunks, with planned rests, to manage pain and tiredness.
Physiotherapy	Treatment using exercise and hands-on techniques to help you move better.
Podiatry	Care and treatment for the feet and lower legs.
Splinting	Using a support to rest or protect a painful joint.
TENS	A small device that sends mild electrical pulses through pads on the skin to reduce pain signals.
Thermal therapy	Using heat to relax muscles, or cold to numb pain and reduce swelling.

7. Surgery and procedures

Procedure	What it means
Arthrodesis (joint fusion)	An operation to join two bones together. The joint no longer moves, which can relieve severe pain.
Arthroplasty (joint replacement)	An operation to replace a damaged joint with an artificial one.
Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)	Looking inside a joint with a tiny camera through a small cut. A knee 'washout' is not recommended for osteoarthritis unless the knee is locking (AoMRC, n.d.).
Osteotomy	An operation to cut and reshape a bone to change how a joint is aligned.
Synovectomy	An operation to remove some or all of the inflamed joint lining.

8. Research words

Term	What it means
Clinical trials (phases 1 to 4)	Stages of testing new treatments in people. Phases 1 to 3 test safety and whether it works before it is licensed. Phase 4 keeps checking safety once it is in use (NHS, n.d.c).
Placebo	A dummy treatment with no active medicine, used to compare against the real one in a trial.
Translational research	Turning discoveries in the laboratory into new treatments for patients.

Where to get help

• Arthritis UK helpline: free advice on 0800 5200 520, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (Arthritis UK, n.d.f).
• Local support: Arthritis UK In Your Area.
• Free guides: Arthritis UK's free information booklets.
• Aids and gadgets: our guide to arthritis aids and adaptations.

References

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (n.d.) Knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis. Available at: https://ebi.aomrc.org.uk/interventions/knee-arthroscopy-for-patients-with-osteoarthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.a) Conditions. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.b) Oligoarthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/oligoarthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.c) Extended oligoarthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/extended-oligoarthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.d) Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/arthritis-treatments/drugs/disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drugs-dmards/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.e) Exercising with arthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/living-with-arthritis/health-and-wellbeing/exercising-with-arthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

Arthritis UK (n.d.f) Arthritis UK helpline. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/support-and-resources/arthritis-uk-helpline/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.a) Rheumatoid arthritis: symptoms. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.b) Reactive arthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reactive-arthritis/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

NHS (n.d.c) Clinical trials. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-trials/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).

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Join the Zero Jargon Health Community

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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.