Exercise in Rheumatic Disease

Exercise is safe, does not worsen average disease activity, and is a core part of managing inflammatory rheumatic disease alongside medication.

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases are immune-mediated conditions of the joints and connective tissues. They include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and connective tissue diseases, and they cause pain, stiffness, fatigue and, if poorly controlled, joint damage and disability.

The old belief that exercise harms inflamed joints has been overturned. Regular, well-designed activity reduces pain, fatigue and stiffness, improves strength, mobility and fitness, protects bone, lifts mood and helps lower the raised cardiovascular risk of chronic inflammation, though loading may need adjusting during active inflammation.