Robbie Coltrane health: Actor was left 'in constant pain' due to 'horrible' osteoarthritis

Talking about the time he was told it was osteoarthritis, Coltrane revealed that doctors told him he had absolutely no cartilage left on one of his knees. When seeking medical help, GPs may carry out X-rays and blood tests in order to rule out other possible causes of pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Differing slightly, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Symptoms such as swelling, pain and stiffness are caused by cells in the immune system attacking the line of the joints.

Over time, this can damage the joints, cartilage and nearby bone. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss.

Affecting only 400,000 people in the UK, osteoarthritis is far more common than rheumatoid arthritis, which affects nine million people in the UK. Most often, people in their mid-40s or older.

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