Conditions

Ankylosing Spondylitis

See National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) for more information.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition which causes pain, swelling and inflammation in the joints. Initially it affects the joints of the hands and feet, but any joint may later be affected.  Rheumatoid arthritis can make your joints feel stiff and can leave you feeling generally unwell and tired.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis tend to develop gradually, with the first symptoms often being felt in small joints, such as fingers and toes.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 350,000 people in the UK and is more common in women than men.  It is most common after the age of 40, but can affect people of any age.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (ELS)

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic and incurable illness of the immune system, a condition in which the body's defence mechanism begins to attack itself through an excess of antibodies in the blood stream, causing inflammation and damage in the joints, muscles and other organs.

See Lupus UK for more information.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis means inflammation of the blood vessels. There are many different types of the condition. Symptoms vary, but it can cause fever, fatigue, weight loss and sweats.

See Arthritis Research UK > Vasculitis for more information.

Shoulder and back problems

Problems affecting the shoulder and back are debilitating and can cause loss of function and pain to a large number of people.

See Shoulder and Elbow and Oxford Spinal Unit for practical advice for patients, carers and relatives of those affected.

Sports injuries

See Oxsport to find out more about the services offered by the Trust for the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of complex training problems and injuries.