Injury and illness involving bones and joints, muscles and nerves is very common.
arthritis is joint pain and swelling
rheumatism is pain in and around muscles, tendons and ligaments
These terms are widely used and are often confused and confusing because problems affecting bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons commonly occur together.
Much musculo-skeletal pain is self-limiting or of nuisance value - such as the strained muscle or the sprained ligament – but arthritis and rheumatism can have many causes – and some are more serious than others.
Disorders of particular interest to clinicians and scientists working with and supported by the Trust include:
Further information can be sourced at www.rheumatology.org.uk
Individual advice and guidance is best provided by a specialist rheumatologist following on from evaluation of medical records, clinical examination and any relevant laboratory and radiological data.