- What is your problem?
- Pain
- Deformity
- Disability
- Function
- Past treatment
- Past history of rheumatoid arthritis
- History of RA
- Age
- How old were you when your arthritis started?
- Pattern of joint involvement
- Which joints are affected?
- Hands?
- Feet?
- Shoulders?
- Knees?
- Hips?
- Neck?
- Which joints are affected?
- Confirmation
- Are your joints stiff when you wake up?
- Disability
- Mobility
- Do you have trouble with
- Walking on the flat?
- Climbing stairs?
- Can you use public transport?
- Do you have difficulty getting in & out of a car?
- Do you have trouble with
- Personal care
- Can you dress yourself?
- Including buttons & shoelaces?
- Can you wash & dry yourself?
- Can you use cutlery?
- Lift a full cup to your mouth?
- Hand functions
- Do you have difficulties with
- Door handles?
- Turning on taps?
- Do you have trouble with keys?
- Can you write normally?
- Do you have difficulties with
- Work & Play
- Can you perform work outside the house?
- Gardening?
- Mowing the lawn?
- Can you do housework?
- Vacuuming?
- Picking up clothes from floor?
- Can you play in sports & hobbies?
- Can you perform work outside the house?
- Mobility
- Age
- Treatment of RA
- Medical
- Do you take anti-inflammatory tablets?
- Do you take prednisone?
- Are you on any other treatment for your arthritis?
- Such as gold, penicillamine, MTX, chloroquine
- Surgical
- Have you had any operations for your arthritis?
- Operations on your hands or feet?
- Hip or knee replacement?
- Have you had any operations for your arthritis?
- Medical
Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.