What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Osteoarthritis is an affliction of the joints, such as the knees, shoulders and hips. The condition makes joints painful, stiff and tender to the touch. Some other conditions can cause mild or severe joint pain too, such as rheumatoid arthritis. But you'll have a good idea that your joint discomfort has been brought on by osteoarthritis when:
- It's worse when you wake up, but gradually improves as the morning progresses.
- It's worse after you've been sitting or you've remained in one position (such as crouching) for a long time.
- It's worse after you have been physically active, but improves after you rest.
- Your joints are swollen, but not red or hot.
If any of these symptoms sound altogether too familiar, see your doctor soon.
Osteoarthritis is an affliction of the joints, such as the knees, shoulders and hips. The condition makes joints painful, stiff and tender to the touch. Some other conditions can cause mild or severe joint pain too, such as rheumatoid... More -
Pain in your joints is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis. It usually is worst in the weight bearing joints (knees, ankles, feet), but the hands are also commonly affected. Swelling is another common complaint.Pain in your joints is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis. It usually is worst in the weight bearing joints (knees, ankles, feet), but the hands are also commonly affected. Swelling is another common complaint. More -
Healthwise answered:Symptoms of osteoarthritis can range from mild to severe.
They may include:
- Pain. Your joints may ache, or the pain may feel burning or sharp. For some people, the pain may come and go. Constant pain or pain while you sleep may be a sign that your arthritis is getting worse.
- Stiffness. When you have arthritis, getting up in the morning can be hard. Your joints may feel stiff and creaky for a short time, until you get moving. You may also get stiff from sitting.
- Muscle weakness. The muscles around the joint may get weaker. This happens a lot with arthritis in the knee.
- Swelling. Arthritis can cause swelling in joints, making them feel tender and sore.
- Deformed joints. Joints can start to look like they are the wrong shape, especially as arthritis gets worse.
- Reduced range of motion and loss of use of the joint. As your arthritis gets worse, you may not be able to fully bend, flex or extend your joints. Or you may not be able to use them at all.
- Cracking and creaking. Your joints may make crunching, creaking sounds. This creaking may also occur in a normal joint. But in most cases, it doesn't hurt and doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the joint.
Arthritis of the spine can also narrow the openings that make space for the spinal cord and for the nerves that branch off the spinal cord (spinal nerves). This is called spinal stenosis. It can lead to pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This pressure can cause pain, weakness or numbness.
Some medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to osteoarthritis.
- Compare osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Learn about other conditions with symptoms similar to osteoarthritis.
One Man's Story:
Steve, 55
"I thought the stiffness and pain in my hip was just from the stress I was putting on my muscles. But when I changed my exercise routine or stopped working out, the pain was still there... The pain would come and go. It wasn't a sharp pain, but a kind of ache that would keep me awake a lot. I could never stay in one position for very long."— Steve
Read more about Steve and how he learned to cope with arthritis.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis can range from mild to severe. They may include: Pain. Your joints may ache, or the pain may feel burning or sharp. For some people, the pain may come and go. Constant pain or pain while you sleep may be a sign that... More -
Because osteoarthritis develops slowly, many individuals do not experience symptoms until several years after cartilage breakdown begins. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling and/or stiffness in a joint (especially after use), joint discomfort before or during a change in the weather, bony lumps on the fingers, and loss of joint flexibility. The joints that are most often affected by osteoarthritis include the fingers, spine, and weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, ankles, feet, and knees. Stiffness in the joint may occur after inactivity, such as upon rising in the morning or after a long car ride.
Once symptoms develop, they are generally the worst during the first year of the disease. Pain often is described as a deep ache and is confined to the affected joint, called localized pain. In most cases, pain increases with use of the joint and subsides with rest. However, as the disease progresses, pain may become persistent. Osteoarthritis may cause pain at night that interferes with sleep.
If individuals overuse the affected joints and do not receive treatment, the cartilage in the joints may wear down completely. When this happens, the bone may rub against bone, causing severe pain and joint damage.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Because osteoarthritis develops slowly, many individuals do not experience symptoms until several years after cartilage breakdown begins. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling and/or stiffness in a joint (especially after use), joint... More -
Dr. Christopher Chiodo answered:Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain in the morning that may gradually recede but returns at the end of the day
- Pain that is alleviated by resting the affected joint
- Stiffness in the affected joint
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include: Pain in the morning that may gradually recede but returns at the end of the day Pain that is alleviated by resting the affected joint Stiffness in the affected joint More
