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Hi @albrightkathy1,

Thank you for posting on the Helpline Online Community, I'm sorry to hear you've experienced a worsening of osteoarthritis over the last few weeks with a flare up in your hands, also your feet, ankles, and knees which has impacted on your mobility.

You ask if this is normal when you start statins.

You can read about possible risks and side effects of taking statins on the NHS website, which mentions possible muscle pain and weakness but not joint pain. If you have any concerns about your new medication, it's important to discuss these with the healthcare professional prescribing them to you.

Whilst there have been studies on statin use and osteoarthritis, the evidence has not been conclusive, with suggestions that it could both be beneficial and also lead to the development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, as we don't yet have good research evidence available to either strongly support or refute possible connections, we can’t offer any specific advice on the effects of statin use for people with osteoarthritis.

I'm sharing our information on osteoarthritis below, which has suggestions for managing pain and stiffness, also the benefits of gentle exercise therapy which we know has good evidence supporting its use to manage the condition - perhaps discuss with your GP the option of physiotherapy. We also have some exercise resources on our website suitable for people with arthritis.

If you are struggling with stairs, it may be worth asking for some support from an Occupational Therapist (OT), you can self-refer for occupational therapy via your local council (Adult Social Care department). An OT can advise on ways to navigate stairs safely, without putting strain on your other joints. They can also suggest any aids or adaptations that may benefit you such as walking aids, or an extra grab rail.

You may find the following information resources useful.

I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Helen, Helpline Advisor