Yes ...all types of arthritis get worse over time, but particularly Osteo-Arthritis.
Even patient with Rheumatoid arthritis can develop osteo-arthritis and commonly do.
I have Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
For the Osteoporosis I have a 6monthly injection called Denosumab and everyday I take Calcium tablets.
For the Rheumatoid Arthritis I take methotrexate and every 6 months I have an infusion (at the Hospital) called Rituximab.
There is no cure for RA but the process can now be slowed down with the new biologic drugs like Rituximab.
RA is definitely progressive, I only have to look at my hands and feet to know that.
I wish I column find effective pain relief. In the last year or so, I have developed trigger finger in both hands, osteoarthritis in one of my hips and both ankles.
Eleena
. Paracetamol!! I react really badly to any stronger medication. Occasionally I take an ibuprofen. It's so disabling and I have it everywhere. Started in my teens and I'm in my 70s now. All I can say is that the worse thing you can do is give in. I try to keep moving, but it sure is difficult. Sometimes I have to give in and use a wheelchair instead of a frame.
With Osteoarthritis, you can have the joints replaced when they get bad, like hips, knees, shoulders, but with RA you cannot get new fingers and toes and so they become deformed as mine have done.
I have osteoarthritis in one of my knees which is controlled with painkillers at the mo, but I know in time that I will have to have an 'op' as it does get worse.
Getting on for twenty years since I was diagnosed with RA which gradually burned itself it out but I still get flare ups now and then .It then progressed into OA which has become much worse over time.
Nellie, I am still working 4 hours a day. When I wake my fingers are stiff, I wear wool gloves to bed sometimes, that is beneficial. I've bought little elasticated finger things for the middle fingers of each hand. I'm about to have an tray on my hip, my ankles have been confirmed as osteoarthritis.