Blood Tests for Arthritis

Dear Jan,

Thank you for your post to Chat to Helplines. If I've understood it correctly (and we are not medically qualified, so do check with your GP) then it sounds as though the neurologist may be talking about signs of osteoarthritis. The words 'degeneration' or 'degenerative changes' is doctor speak for the way that the body tries to handle the ageing process.

So where you may get cartilage changing as the body ages, sometimes the body tries to heal itself, by inflammation, and sometimes growing extra bone. Osteoarthritis is sometimes described as 'healing gone wrong' - where the body's attempt at healing ends up leading to more problems.

Either way osteoarthritis flare ups can be self managed with the right support. We are here to talk to, and if you private messge us your full name and postal address we can send you more information, or see
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/LivingwithArthritis/Self-management

Hope that helps

Guy