Former England and Arsenal football star Alex Scott has courageously shared details of her lifelong health condition, osteoarthritis, which she must manage permanently.
The Training Ground Injury That Changed Everything
The 41-year-old, who currently appears on I'm A Celebrity, explained how her diagnosis came after a severe training ground incident. "It was a tough training session, and a slide-tackle from one of my team-mates rolled my ankle," she recalled. Scott immediately knew the injury was serious, leading to a diagnosis of chronic pain and osteoarthritis.
She admitted her initial disbelief, exclaiming, "Arthritis? I'm in my twenties! I haven't got arthritis." Her primary concern at that moment was her fitness for upcoming World Cup games, not the long-term implications. "You don't think about long-term – they say you've got osteoarthritis, I'm like 'OK, how do I get onto the pitch on Sunday?'" she told the Mirror.
Living and Managing an Invisible Condition
Scott came to terms with the reality that this was a permanent condition. "I've now got to live with this problem and manage it for the rest of my career. And not only my career, what's after my career – my life," she stated. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis affecting millions worldwide, occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time.
She was keen to clarify that the diagnosis did not influence her decision to retire from professional football in 2017, emphasising she was simply ready for a new sporting chapter. Her defiant attitude shone through as she said, "[The condition] was never going to stop me doing what I wanted to do, what I wanted to achieve. You find a way."
A New Approach to Pain and Management
Scott describes her condition as an "invisible injury" but is adamant it doesn't have to be a barrier. Her management strategy involves taking each day as it comes and avoiding putting excessive pressure on herself. "That was hard for me at first as I'm someone who wants to push myself," she confessed. "But when the pain of osteoarthritis kicks in that's not always an option."
In a recent advertisement for the pain-relief gel FlexiSeq, she gave a candid example of how the condition affects her daily life. "Recently my arthritis has been really quite bad," she shared. "I went running one day and the next day my ankle was just awful." The pain was so severe she couldn't physically get her foot into the boots she planned to wear for a London fashion event, forcing her to seek physio help.
Her key message is one of self-awareness and acceptance. "The key for me is being able to acknowledge when you're struggling," Scott advised. "There is no shame in putting your hand up and saying 'I need help'."
