"Get on with it": Exploring Arthritis Experiences of the Over 50s across South Tees

Summary

The prevalence of long-term health conditions for those aged over 50 is high in the UK, particularly musculoskeletal conditions, which affect one in four of the adult population.

One of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in the UK is arthritis, experienced by more than ten million people. Other musculoskeletal conditions include:

• Osteoporosis (summary page 10), affecting over three million people in the UK (NHS England)
• Sarcopenia
• Back and neck pain
• Connective tissue diseases.

Statistics for Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland highlight arthritis as a local concern:

• Almost 20% of Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland’s population of over 45 year olds are estimated to have knee osteoarthritis;
•  Over 10% of Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland’s population of over 45 year olds are estimated to have hip osteoarthritis.

We developed a survey to explore what works well, what needs to change and what improvements could be made, asking:

• What information is received at diagnosis
• What treatment options patients are given
• What people living with arthritis have tried and tested themselves for self- care.

We also produced a case study on arthritis, telling the story of a local man who used exercise to manage his arthritis.