Your Aching Joints Are Telling You Something

Check your symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis are critical to minimizing the impact of joint damage. 

It took a significant ski accident a couple of years ago for Barbara Foy-Pilchner to finally pay attention to the worsening pain in her leg and hips.

“I grew up as a dancer, performer and singer. I’d always suffered through back pain but managed to dance right into my 30s without thinking too much about it,” says Foy-Pilchner.

Her accident on the slopes shaped a much different future than she’d imagined.

“After all the tests and imaging, my surgeon realized I had significant degenerative arthritis in my left hip.”

The diagnosis shocked Foy-Pilchner, still in her 40s. But as tough as it was to take the information in, she was relieved to have answers. 

Arthritis is a far more common diagnosis than people think, says Dr. Siân Bevan, Chief Science Officer at Arthritis Society Canada. “More than one-third of people with arthritis are diagnosed with the disease before they turn 45.”

And while early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis are critical to minimizing the impact of joint damage and disability, research suggests there could be as many Canadians living with undiagnosed arthritis as there are people who have a diagnosis.

It’s time to take action and check your symptoms if:

• You can’t move like you used to 

• That joint pain isn’t getting better 

• You’re stiff getting out of bed 

• That joint is swelling again 

• There’s a real pain in your neck 

• It hurts to climbs the stairs 

Take Arthritis Society Canada’s Arthritis Symptom Checker to help you understand what your symptoms mean, and then take action. 

“Many people are living with joint pain or other joint symptoms without thinking it could be arthritis. But the fire of arthritis can strike anyone, at any age,” says Dr. Bevan. “And simply put, early action can lead to early relief.”

In Foy-Pilchner’s case, while she’s had to say goodbye to skiing, she’s said hello to new things like daily yoga, weights, walking and stretching. And she says she can still do a “mean jig” on the dance floor!

If you have joint pain, don’t ignore it. Understanding your symptoms is the first step to finding relief.  

Arthritis is Canada’s most common chronic disease – affecting six million (1 in 5) Canadians – and it can have a devastating impact on peoples’ lives. Over half of Canadians with arthritis are younger than 65.

Take Arthritis Society Canada’s Arthritis Symptom Checker today at www.arthritis.ca/bettertoknow, call 1-800-321-1433 or email [email protected].