Musculoskeletal Health | Arthritis Explained
Care Plan Library
Introduction
This page is part of the Care Plan Building Library used by GeneralPracticeTraining.com.au.
It is designed to support clinicians and practice teams in understanding, identifying, and managing arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions in general practice.
Condition Overview
This snippet focuses on arthritis, a general term covering many conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints.
Common conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Anyone can develop arthritis, including children and young people. With the right care and lifestyle support, many people live well with arthritis.
Care Plan Snippet – Arthritis Management (Table Format)
Care Plan Details
Item: Musculoskeletal and chronic disease care
(May be incorporated into GP Chronic Condition Management Plan – Medicare item 965 where relevant)
Date: [Insert date]
Patient Details
Patient: [Patient name], [DOB], [Contact details]
GP Details
GP: [Doctor name], [Clinic name]
GP Management Plan – Problems / Goals / Treatments / Arrangements
| Area | Patient problem / risk | SMART goal | Key actions and advice | Arrangements and follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint and muscle pain | Persistent pain affecting daily activities | Reduce pain and improve function within 3–6 months | Assess pain severity and affected joints. Provide education about condition. | GP review. Pain monitoring. |
| Reduced mobility | Stiffness and limited movement | Improve joint mobility and strength | Encourage regular physical activity. Refer for supervised exercise. | Physiotherapy or exercise physiology referral. |
| Inflammatory disease activity | Active inflammation or flare-ups | Control inflammation | Initiate or adjust anti-inflammatory or disease-modifying therapy as indicated. | Medication review and monitoring. |
| Functional limitations | Difficulty with daily tasks | Maintain independence | Assess activities of daily living. Provide joint protection strategies. | Occupational therapy referral if needed. |
| Fatigue and wellbeing | Reduced energy and quality of life | Improve overall wellbeing | Address sleep, mood, activity pacing, and stress. | Ongoing review. |
| Long-term disease impact | Risk of progression | Slow disease progression where possible | Early diagnosis and condition-specific management. | Specialist referral if indicated. |
Your Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and joint fluid.
These structures work together to allow movement, stability, and strength.
Arthritis affects how these structures function. The exact changes depend on the specific type of arthritis.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Symptoms vary by condition but commonly include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling, redness, and warmth
- Stiffness or reduced movement
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue or feeling unwell
Diagnosing Arthritis
Early diagnosis improves outcomes. Assessment may include:
- Medical history and symptom review
- Physical examination of joints and movement
- Blood tests for inflammation or immune markers
- Imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI
- Referral to a rheumatologist for specialist input when needed
Correct diagnosis is essential because treatments differ between arthritis types.
Managing Your Arthritis
There is no single cure for arthritis. Management depends on the type, severity, and joints affected and may include:
- Medication
- Physiotherapy and exercise
- Lifestyle modification
- Education and self-management strategies
Your Arthritis Healthcare Team
Care often involves a team approach, including:
- GP
- Rheumatologist
- Physiotherapist
- Dietitian
- Occupational therapist
- Exercise physiologist
- Podiatrist
- Pharmacist
- Psychologist
The GP usually coordinates care and referrals.
Medications for Arthritis
Medication choices depend on the type of arthritis and symptom severity and may include:
- Analgesics such as paracetamol
- Topical creams and ointments
- NSAIDs
- Corticosteroids
- DMARDs
- Biologic and biosimilar medicines
Patients should inform their GP about all medications, including over-the-counter and complementary products.
Self-Management of Arthritis
Effective self-management includes:
- Learning about the specific condition
- Staying physically active with tailored exercise
- Using pain management strategies
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Protecting joints with aids or modifications
- Working closely with the healthcare team
- Staying engaged in work, school, and social activities
- Accessing peer support where helpful
Review and Follow-up
Regular review helps to:
- Monitor symptoms and function
- Adjust treatments
- Manage flares early
- Support long-term quality of life
You can use our Care Plan Building Tool.
You can also explore our online courses, completed by thousands of health professionals worldwide, covering allergy management, asthma care, and preventive health.