Osteoarthritis Symptoms

The ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the condition. Usually, individuals who present to a clinician with indicative symptoms of osteoarthritis will provide a detailed medical history, which is followed by confirmation of the diagnosis that is achieved with X-ray imaging.

Osteoarthritis, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Affected areas

Any joint in the body may be affected by symptoms of osteoarthritis, although the most commonly affected areas include:

  • Hands
  • Feet
  • Spine
  • Hips
  • Knees

Pain

The primary symptom that is present in the vast majority of osteoarthritis cases is pain. Osteoarthritic pain is usually described as a sharp ache or burning sensation in the joints that may also involve the muscles and tendons.

It is common for the pain to worsen significantly in cold temperatures or in high humidity areas. Additionally, some individuals report more severe symptoms after a drop in barometric pressure. Although medical literature to support this is not strong, it is a common observation in practice.

The pain experienced by individuals as a result of osteoarthritis can be severe and often leads to swelling, stiffness, and loss of ability, particularly for activities that involve substantial use of the joints. As a result, quality of life can be inhibited significantly.

Treatment is often needed to help people who suffer from the condition to manage their pain. In fact, pain is the primary concern for many individuals and simple analgesic relief is sufficient to help some people improve their quality of life.

Swelling and stiffness

As the condition progresses, the affected joints usually appear larger than normal, which is mainly a result of associated swelling. Additionally, the joints may become considerably stiff, which can inhibit individuals from using their bodies as usual.

This is particularly evident in smaller joints, such as those in the fingers. Hard bony enlargements, known as Heberden's nodes (on distal joints) or Bouchard’s nodes (on proximal joints) may form. These inhibit movement of the fingers and the ability of the hands significantly, although they may or may not be associated with pain.

In the toes, it is common for bunions to form, which involves reddening and swelling of the joints. It is not uncommon for people to also notice physical changes to their joints before any pain becomes evident.

Image Credit: cunaplus / Shutterstock.com

Loss of ability

The changes in the joints can have a significant impact on the ability of individuals to partake in their daily activities as normal.

Many people find this difficult, as they are no longer able to cope with everyday activities that they have always been able to do. Particularly when the hands are affected, even simple tasks that require fine movements can become very challenging.

Other characteristics

Using the affected joints during gentle exercise and activities often helps to lessen the pain and make that area feel better. However, with excessive or prolonged use, the symptoms usually become worse. This is a distinguishing factor from rheumatoid arthritis, which is instead associated with an improvement of symptoms after using the affected joints.

In some people, a certain crackling noise called crepitus may occur when the joint is moved or touched. In addition, occasionally people present with muscle spasms and contractions in the tendons of affected areas, as well as filling of the joints with fluid.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2021

Yolanda Smith

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Smith, Yolanda. (2021, April 27). Osteoarthritis Symptoms. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 31, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Osteoarthritis-Symptoms.aspx.

  • MLA

    Smith, Yolanda. "Osteoarthritis Symptoms". News-Medical. 31 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Osteoarthritis-Symptoms.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Smith, Yolanda. "Osteoarthritis Symptoms". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Osteoarthritis-Symptoms.aspx. (accessed October 31, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Smith, Yolanda. 2021. Osteoarthritis Symptoms. News-Medical, viewed 31 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Osteoarthritis-Symptoms.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Study reveals unconscious fear of exercise in knee osteoarthritis patients