Arthritis Awareness Week 29 March – 4 April

Arthritis Awareness Week is an initiative of Arthritis Australia.

It is a week of promotional and educational activities, held around the country, to raise awareness about arthritis, its effects, and the various treatment and management options available.

Arthritis Australia hopes that these activities will make all Australians aware that arthritis is not a natural part of ageing but a disease that affects many people of working age and also children.

Arthritis includes more than 100 different diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), that affect the musculoskeletal system.

Pain, stiffness, inflammation, and damage to the cartilage, bones and other structures within the joints are all common manifestations of arthritis.

Although it cannot be cured, the symptoms and impacts of arthritis can be reduced through early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and management.