What is Rheumatism? What can I do about rheumatism? How many people get rheumatism? What types of rheumatism are there? How do I recognize rheumatism? What are the symptoms of rheumatism? These are all questions that someone with (beginning) rheumatism should ask themselves. Do you recognize this in yourself? Would you like to learn more about rheumatism.

What is Rheumatism?

Rheumatism is a collective name for various disorders. Rheumatism consists of at least 100 different disorders . A number of known ones are; osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism or inflammatory rheumatism. Similarity between all 100 forms of rheumatism is that they all develop systematically and are not caused by trauma. 

What types of rheumatism are there?

As mentioned above, rheumatism consists of more than 100 different disorders. The most well-known (and most common) forms of rheumatism are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (inflammatory rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.)
• Osteoarthritis / wear and tear (the quality of the cartilage decreases)
• Acute rheumatism (infections, bacteria, etc.)
• Soft tissue rheumatism (fibromyalgia, bursitis, bursitis, etc.)
• icht (acute joint inflammation)
• Juvenile arthritis (child rheumatism / juvenile rheumatism) (Chronic childhood rheumatism)

Rheumatism, what are the symptoms?

Rheumatism often manifests itself through a tired feeling and stiffness in joints and/or muscles and tendons. Because of rheumatism, you are therefore less able to move. Most forms of rheumatism get worse during the day, but there are also forms of rheumatism that are worse in the morning and less during the day .

How do I recognize rheumatism?

The most common features of rheumatism are:

• Stiffness and pain in joints and/or muscles and tendons (e.g. starting pain)
• Long-term pain in muscles, tendons and/or joints
• The joints become thicker and warmer

How many people have rheumatism?

In the Netherlands, approximately 2.5 million people have to deal with long-term rheumatic complaints. Most of these people have to deal with osteoarthritis or RA. These forms of rheumatism cannot be cured, but the complaints can be suppressed well with medicines, therapies and the support of various aids.

Rheumatism, what can I do about it?

Most forms of rheumatism are chronic and therefore cannot be cured. Without treatment, the symptoms often get worse. With proper treatment, the symptoms can be significantly reduced and the condition can calm down more. The treatment of rheumatism mainly consists of medication and physiotherapy. Various aids such as rollators, braces, bandages or arch supports can support this therapy.

Aids for rheumatism

Rheumatism, as described in this blog, is very common (at least 2.5 million people!) and many of these have to do with osteoarthritis , arthritis or soft tissue rheumatism in the thumb, wrist, ankle or knee. Read more about these forms of rheumatism on our injury page or immediately purchase a thumb brace or wrist brace.

For additional information, we recommend that you inform your doctor or physiotherapist.