bio: male, 20 y.o, 5′7" 165-170 lbs (water weight chg).

family history: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

personal history: knee pain, chronic, age 12-pres; swollen & painful clavicle joints, sporadic, 15-pres; wrist pain, sporadic, 16-pres; tibial stress fractures 18-19; hip pain (L), 18-pres.

activity: baseball at 12; running, marching 17-18 (military); Judo 3-4 hours/week (see http://www.judoinfo.com/techjudo.htm) at 19-pres; running approx 1 mile 3-4 times/week, past 6 weeks.

diet: high meat, cheese, milk, chicken, bread, cereal, peppers, onions, black tea, water (in excess at times); low fruits, vegetables; zero pork, shellfish

prescriptions: rigid orthodic boot/shoe inserts

I believe that I have developed another stress fracture in the past six weeks, even with my rather small amount of running. I know how to heal it, but I want to know how to prevent another.

I’m falling apart at the seams, but I’m not going to stop & stiffen up.

Changes to diet? Vitamins? Exercises?

I have been having feelings of tightness and sharp spasms of pain in my left knee. The pain varies in intensity and comes and goes. I’ve noticed it only occasionally before, but in the past week it has become more severe and almost constant. It seems to feel the worst when I am in bed and changing positions. I have never had an injury to the leg or anything like that. In fact, I am not athletic at all. I have an extensive family history of osteoarthritis, but this seems unlikely as I am only 23-years-old. I am wondering if my lack of much physical activity could be the cause of the pain?

I’m not sure what kind of arthritis I have. I always assumed that it was osteoarthritis because I don’t have any disfigured joints. However, after reading more about rheumatoid arthritis, I wonder if I have that. My joints all over are stiff and achy and my fingers are puffy. I heard that fish oil is good. How much of this can I safely take? What about other supplements? Thanks!

According to Arthritis Care, arthritis affects 1 in 5 adults in the UK. 12,000 children in the UK have juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee. The UK currently has the eighth highest obesity rate in the world – and this is rising.

I sprained my ankle and 8 weeks later developed what is diagnosed as osteoarthritis in my elbow. Are these two conditions related?

I have osteoarthritis in my neck, lower back, wrists and ankles. I take prescription anti inflamitories and muscle relaxers in order to go to work. I work 10 hrs a day on my feet constantly moving, stretching and bending. While this movement is good for my arthritis, it can get really painful by the end of the day. I feel like I am up a creek without a paddle most of the time, especially after a 3 day workout. Then I just totally crash. I am tired of waking up with swollen hands, having a crick in my back and limping for a while after sitting down for 30 minutes.