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TAKE CONTROL: Assess Your Joint Health

Assess Your Symptoms

The following seven questions are designed to determine if you are exhibiting the signs of arthritis. Answer them as best as you can.

1. 

Has a doctor ever told you that you have arthritis?
YES   NO


2. 

During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint?
YES   NO


3. 

In a typical month, were these symptoms present daily for at least half of the days in that month?
YES   NO


4. 

Do you have pain in your knee or hip when climbing stairs or walking 2-3 blocks (¼ mile) on flat ground?
YES   NO


5. 

Do you have daily pain or stiffness in your hand joints?
YES   NO


6. 

Are you now limited in any way in any activities because of joint symptoms (pain, aching, stiffness, loss of motion)?
YES   NO


7. 

Because of joint symptoms, rate your ability to do the following:

0 - Without ANY difficulty
1 - With SOME difficulty
2 - With MUCH difficulty
3 - Unable to do

a. 

Dress yourself, including shoelaces and buttons?
0    1    2    3


b. 

Stand up from an armless, straight chair?
0    1    2    3


c. 

Get in and out of a car?
0    1    2    3


d. 

Open a car door?
0    1    2    3

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