Questions to Ask Your Consultant About Arthritis: A Ready-to-Use UK List

Quick answer: Start with NICE's three shared decision-making questions: what are my options, what are the benefits and risks of each, and how can we decide together what is right for me? Then add specific questions about your diagnosis, tests, medicines, surgery, work and follow-up. Pick three to five, put the most important first, and ask for a copy of the clinic letter.

Checked on 10 October 2026 against NICE NG197 on shared decision making, NHS guidance on consent to treatment, NICE NG100 and NICE NG226.

Specialist appointments are often short, and it is easy to come out realising you forgot to ask the thing that mattered most. This page gives you ready-made questions to choose from, grouped by situation. You do not need to ask them all. Pick the three to five that matter most to you, write them down, and take the list with you.

Start with three core questions

NICE's guideline on shared decision making encourages NHS organisations to prompt patients to ask three questions:

1. What are my options?
2. What are the possible benefits and risks of those options?
3. How can we make a decision together that is right for me?

NICE also says clinicians should make sure you know that the options include choosing no treatment, or no change to what you are doing now. You can always ask: "What would happen if I waited, or did nothing for now?"

How to use this list

• Prioritise. Put your most important question first, in case time runs out.
• Be specific. "Will I be able to kneel to garden?" is more useful than "Will I be better?"
• Take notes, or take someone with you. NICE suggests encouraging people who need extra support to record the discussion. Ask before you record.
• Check you understand. Repeat back what you heard in your own words.
• Ask for it in writing. NICE recommends that clinic letters after a discussion are written to the patient and that you are sent a copy unless you say you do not want one.

Questions about your diagnosis

• What type of arthritis do I have? How sure are you?
• What is causing my symptoms, and could anything else be contributing?
• Is this likely to get better, stay the same or get worse over time?
• Which of my symptoms are from arthritis and which might be something else?
• Is it likely to affect other joints or other parts of my body, such as my eyes, skin, lungs or heart?
• Is there anything in my family history or lifestyle that matters?
• Where can I find reliable information about this condition?

Questions about tests and scans

• Why do I need this test, and what will it tell you?
• Will the result change my treatment?
• What does the test involve? Do I need to prepare, fast or stop any medicines?
• How and when will I get the results, and who will explain them?
• What should I do if I have not heard by then?
• Why don't I need an X-ray or MRI? (NICE says osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed without imaging in people aged 45 or over with typical symptoms, so a scan is not always needed.)

Our guides to blood tests, X-rays and MRI scans explain what each test can and cannot show.

Questions about medicines

• What is this medicine for, and how does it work?
• How long until I notice a difference? What if it does not work?
• What are the common side effects, and what serious ones should I watch for?
• Do I need blood tests while I take it? How often, and where?
• Does it interact with my other medicines, supplements or alcohol?
• Do I need any vaccinations before or while taking it?
• What should I do if I get an infection or need an operation?
• Is it safe if I am planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding? Does this apply to men planning to father a child too?
• How long will I need to take it?
• Who do I contact with problems between appointments?

For a fuller checklist, see starting a new arthritis medicine: questions to ask.

Questions if you have just been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis, treatment usually starts quickly and involves several new things at once. Useful questions include:

• What is my treatment target, for example remission or low disease activity?
• How often will you check my progress while we get it under control? (NICE recommends monthly checks of CRP and disease activity in specialist care until the target is reached for active rheumatoid arthritis.)
• Will I have an annual review once things are settled?
• Does this condition raise my risk of other problems, such as heart disease or osteoporosis, and what can I do about it?
• Is there a nurse-led education session or self-management course?

Questions about your overall treatment plan

• What is the goal of treatment for me: less pain, better function, fewer flares, remission?
• How will we know if treatment is working?
• What can I do myself that will make the most difference?
• Would physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry or a dietitian help me? How do I get referred?
• Is there a self-management or education programme I can join?
• Who is my named contact in the team? (NICE says adults with rheumatoid arthritis should have a named member of the multidisciplinary team who coordinates their care.)
• Is there an advice line for flares or side effects?

Questions if surgery is being discussed

NICE says people with hip, knee or shoulder osteoarthritis may be referred for joint replacement when symptoms substantially affect quality of life and non-surgical treatment is ineffective or unsuitable. If surgery is on the table, consider asking:

• Why are you recommending this operation for me now?
• What are the alternatives, including not having surgery yet?
• What are the likely benefits for someone like me, and how sure are you?
• What are the main risks for me personally, given my age and health? (NICE recommends risks are explained as absolute numbers, such as "1 in 100", rather than vague words.)
• What type of implant or procedure would you use, and why?
• How many of these operations does this hospital do?
• How long is the wait, and what can I do to prepare?
• What anaesthetic will I have?
• How long will I be in hospital, and what help will I need at home?
• When can I expect to drive, return to work and do the activities that matter to me?
• How long is the replacement likely to last?
• What happens if something goes wrong?

Our checklist on preparing for joint replacement covers the months before surgery.

Questions about work and daily life

• Is it safe for me to keep exercising? Which types are best?
• Can I carry on working? What adjustments might help?
• Can you give me a letter supporting workplace adjustments or a benefits claim?
• Will this affect my driving? Do I need to tell the DVLA?
• Can I travel abroad with my medicines? Will I need a letter?
• How might this affect sex, relationships, pregnancy or parenting?
• Is my mood or sleep linked to my arthritis, and what help is available?

Questions before you leave

• What happens next, and when?
• Will I have a follow-up appointment, or do I need to contact you when needed?
• What symptoms mean I should contact you sooner?
• Will you write to me and my GP?
• Who can I contact if I think of more questions?

Questions if your treatment is not working

• Is my arthritis still active, or could something else be causing my symptoms?
• Am I on the right dose, and have I given this medicine long enough?
• What are the next options if this does not work?
• Would a steroid injection or short course of steroids help in the meantime?
• Am I eligible for biologic or targeted medicines? What are the criteria?
• Should I see a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or pain service as well?

Questions for physiotherapists and occupational therapists

• Which exercises matter most for me, and how often should I do them?
• How much pain during or after exercise is acceptable?
• How should I adapt exercise during a flare?
• Are there aids, splints or adaptations that would make daily tasks easier?
• Can you help me plan a return to work, hobbies or sport?
• How do I get back in touch if things change?

If you are going with a relative

If you are supporting someone at an appointment, agree beforehand what they want you to do: take notes, prompt them, or speak only if asked. Useful questions for carers include: "What signs should I watch for at home?", "How can I help without taking over?" and "Is there support for me as a carer?" The person with arthritis should still be at the centre of the conversation and the decision.

Extra questions for a private consultation

If you are paying for private care, also ask:

• What exactly does the fee include: consultation, tests, follow-up, physiotherapy, medicines?
• If I need tests or treatment, what will they cost, and is the price fixed?
• If I want to continue my care on the NHS, how does that work?
• Will you write to my GP?

See our guide to private treatment costs in the UK.

Your rights when making decisions

The NHS explains that consent to treatment must be voluntary, informed and given by someone with the capacity to decide. Informed means being told what the treatment involves, its benefits and risks, whether there are reasonable alternatives, and what will happen if treatment does not go ahead. An adult with capacity can refuse treatment, and that decision must be respected.

You can take time to think, ask for more information or ask for a further discussion before deciding. NICE says clinicians should set aside time for questions and ask whether you would like another opportunity to discuss your options. If you are still unsure, you can ask for a second opinion. There is no automatic legal right to one, but it can be arranged if appropriate.

A simple question sheet you can copy

Copy this onto paper or into the notes app on your phone before your appointment.

If you feel rushed or not listened to

Time pressure in clinics is real, but you are entitled to understand your care. If you feel rushed, it is reasonable to say, "I have one more important question," or to ask whether a nurse or another appointment could cover the rest. If you feel your concerns were not taken seriously, you can raise this with the team, ask for a second opinion, or contact PALS in England, PASS in Scotland, Llais in Wales or the Patient and Client Council in Northern Ireland for independent help.

When to get medical help

Do not wait for a planned appointment to raise urgent concerns. Contact your GP, specialist advice line or NHS 111 the same day if a joint suddenly becomes hot, swollen and very painful, if you take an immune-suppressing medicine and develop a fever or feel very unwell, or if you develop new symptoms such as a painful red eye. Call 999 for chest pain, severe breathlessness or signs of a stroke.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions should I take to an appointment?

Choose three to five that matter most to you and put the most important first. You can ask for another appointment or contact the team later for the rest.

Can I record my appointment?

Many clinicians are happy for you to record a consultation for your own use. Ask at the start. NICE suggests recording as a way to support people who need extra help with decisions.

What if I don't understand the answer?

Say so. Ask the clinician to explain it differently, draw it, or write it down. It is their job to make sure you understand.

Can I ask what happens if I do nothing?

Yes. NICE says clinicians should make sure you know that choosing no treatment, or no change, is one of the options.

Should I bring someone with me?

If you can, yes. A relative or friend can take notes, help you remember and ask questions you might forget.

What if I think of a question after I get home?

Contact the team using the details on your clinic letter, or the rheumatology advice line. NICE says information after discussions should include who to contact with further questions.

Is it rude to bring a written list?

No. Most clinicians find a short written list helpful because it shows what matters to you and helps them use the time well. Keep it brief and hand it over at the start if that is easier.

Sources and further reading

• NICE NG197: Shared decision making
• NHS: Consent to treatment
• NICE NG100: Rheumatoid arthritis in adults
• NICE NG226: Osteoarthritis in over 16s
• Healthwatch: Getting a second opinion about your care

Educational information for people in the United Kingdom, not personal medical, legal or financial advice. NHS processes, rules and prices change, so check the linked official sources and speak to your GP, specialist team or pharmacist about your own situation. Charity no. 1218461. Pending clinical review. If you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact NHS 111.

Continue with related help

• What happens at a rheumatology appointment — your first visit explained
• Surviving NHS waiting lists — what to do while you wait
• Joint replacement surgery guide — types, benefits and risks
• How NHS referrals work — from GP to specialist