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Welcome to the
Arthritis Foundation of South Africa
We work to empower you to take charge of your health through advocacy, education, support, and access to information and resources.
Our Vision
A better life for all affected by rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.
Our Mission
To enable those affected by rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease to live a valuable life in all its dimensions through increasing awareness, providing education, advocacy and support.
We work to empower you to take charge of your health through advocacy, education, support, and access to information and resources.
The Arthritis Foundation is patient orientated, non-profit organisation that is dedicated to education, assistance, and informing the public on the impact and consequences of arthritis.
We work to empower you to take charge of your health through advocacy, education, support, and access to information and resources.
The Arthritis Foundation is a patient orientated, non-profit organisation that is dedicated to education, assistance, and informing the public on the impact and consequences of arthritis.
We work to empower you to take charge of your health through advocacy, education, support, and access to information and resources.
The Arthritis Foundation is a patient-orientated, non-profit organisation that is dedicated to education, assistance, and informing the public on the impact and consequences of arthritis.
What are rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases?
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are chronic systemic diseases that commonly affect the joints but can affect any organ of the body. There are more than 200 RMDs that affect children and adults.
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Magazines
We aim to help all people living with RMDs to live a full life with fewer limitations. We do this by providing education, support, and access to relevant information that can be understood by all South Africans.
Our
Objectives
Support
To provide community support services in a spirit of empathy for all people with arthritis, their families, friends and caregivers.
Education
Education
Conducting arthritis education programmes for people with arthritis, their families, caregivers and health professionals to better understand arthritis and effective methods of treatment.
Information
Research
Advocacy
Awareness Days
2023
18 MARCH
WORD DAY – World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day
27 MARCH
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DAY
6 MAY
World Axial Spondyloarthropathy day
10 MAY
LUPUS AWARENESS DAY
29 JUNE
World Systemic Sclerosis Day
23 JULY
World Sjögren’s day
27 JULY
OSTEOARTHRITIS DAY
22 AUGUST
FIBROMYALGIA DAY
12 OCTOBER
WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY
20 OCTOBER
World Osteoporosis day
29 OCTOBER
World Psoriatic Arthritis Day
23 NOVEMBER
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES DAY
What is
Arthritis?
Arthritis is the term used to describe anything that affects your joints. It can cause pain and inflammation, making it difficult to move or stay active. There are many types of arthritis. Each form causes different symptoms and may need different treatments. While the most common form of arthritis, namely osteoarthritis, usually affects older adults, other forms of arthritis can affect people of any age as well as children.
What is
Arthritis?
Arthritis is the term used to describe anything that affects your joints. It can cause pain and inflammation, making it difficult to move or stay active. There are many types of arthritis. Each form causes different symptoms and may need different treatments. While the most common form of arthritis, namely osteoarthritis, usually affects older adults, other forms of arthritis can affect people of any age as well as children.
What is
Arthritis?
Arthritis is the term used to describe anything that affects your joints. It can cause pain and inflammation, making it difficult to move or stay active. There are many types of arthritis. Each form causes different symptoms and may need different treatments. While the most common form of arthritis, namely osteoarthritis, usually affects older adults, other forms of arthritis can affect people of any age as well as children.
Download our
Reading Material
WARNING SIGNS OF ARTHRITIS
View / download our educational posters to read for yourself, share with loved ones, put up at your nearest school, clinic, hospital, pharmacy, consulting rooms, waiting rooms, etc. Let's spread more awareness together!
4 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTHRITIS
View / download our educational posters to read for yourself, share with loved ones, put up at your nearest school, clinic, hospital, pharmacy, consulting rooms, waiting rooms, etc. Let's spread more awareness together!
Our
Webinar Schedule
| Webinar Title | Speaker | Date |
|---|---|---|
| World Young Rheumatic Disease Day | Dr Halland | 30th March 2023, 6-7PM |
| Mindfulness Speaker | Marie Wilken | 20th March 2023, 6-7PM |
| Gout | Dr Elsa Van Duuren | 20th April 2023, 6-7PM |
| Lupus Awareness Day | Dr Elsa Van Duuren | 18th May 2023, 6-7PM |
| Axial Spondyloarthritis in a Nutshell | Maranda Van Dam | 15th June 2023, 6-7PM |
| OA Awareness Day: Why is Osteoarthritis So Painful? | Prof A Kalla | 20th July 2023, 6-7PM |
| Fibromyalgia Awareness Day: Practical Tips on How to Self-Manage Pain | Dershnee Devan | 17th August 2023, 6-7PM |
| Feet First: Tips, Shoes, Exercise for Feet | Andrew Clarke | 21st September 2023, 6-7PM |
| World Arthritis Day: SA Dental Assoc. Periodontal Diseases of the Mouth | Dr Andreas Siebold | 12th October 2023, 6-7PM |
| Complementary Day: Reflexology | N/A | 16th November 2023, 6-7PM |
CHAT (Children Have Arthritis Too)
BUT ISN'T ARTHRITIS SOMETHING ONLY OLDER PEOPLE GET?
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is different from the arthritis that adults get. Kids can have many different types of arthritis, but JIA is the most common. Many problems can cause pain and swelling of the joints, so a doctor will want to know how long these problems have been going on. To be considered JIA, the joints must have swelling and pain for at least 6 weeks.
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The Arthritis Foundation is a patient-centred, non-profit organisation that is dedicated to education, assistance, and informing the public on the impact and consequences of RMDs.
The Arthritis Foundation of SA is a registered non-profit organisation, No 002-847 NPO