What are the most common symptoms of arthritis?

October 21, 2024

The Arthritis Strategy By Shelly Manning if you are suffering from painful arthritis for long then the eBook, The Arthritis Strategy, can help you in getting rid of its in just a few days by following its 21-day program. It includes some easy-to-do exercises as well as plans to change your eating habits to some extent to get the best and fastest results even if you are suffering from arthritis for since long.


What are the most common symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis encompasses a range of conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. While symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of arthritis, there are common signs that are typically associated with most forms of the disease. Here are the most common symptoms of arthritis:

1. Joint Pain

  • Description: Pain is the hallmark symptom of arthritis and can range from mild to severe. It can be constant or intermittent and typically worsens with activity or after prolonged periods of inactivity.
  • Affected Areas: Pain is usually felt in the affected joints, including the hands, knees, hips, feet, and spine, but it can occur in any joint.

2. Joint Stiffness

  • Description: Stiffness is often most noticeable after periods of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning or after sitting for long periods. This “morning stiffness” can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the arthritis.
  • Affected Areas: Any joint can become stiff, but it is common in the hands, knees, and hips.

3. Swelling

  • Description: Inflammation in the joint can cause swelling, leading to the joint appearing larger or puffier than normal. The swelling can cause discomfort and limit movement.
  • Affected Areas: Swelling is most noticeable in the knees, hands, feet, and other weight-bearing or frequently used joints.

4. Reduced Range of Motion

  • Description: Arthritis can make it difficult to move the affected joint fully. The reduced range of motion may make everyday tasks harder to perform, like bending the knees, gripping objects, or reaching overhead.
  • Affected Areas: Joints most affected include the knees, elbows, shoulders, and hips, though any joint can experience limited mobility.

5. Warmth and Redness

  • Description: The skin over the affected joint may feel warm to the touch or appear red due to inflammation, especially during a flare-up in inflammatory types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Affected Areas: This is common in joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis or infections, such as the hands, knees, and feet.

6. Fatigue

  • Description: Many forms of arthritis, particularly inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can cause fatigue. This may result from chronic pain, inflammation, and the body’s immune response, making people feel tired even after a good night’s sleep.
  • Affected Areas: Fatigue is a systemic symptom that can affect overall energy levels.

7. Joint Deformity

  • Description: Over time, chronic inflammation or damage from arthritis can lead to joint deformities. This is more common in advanced stages of arthritis, especially in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
  • Affected Areas: Deformities are most commonly seen in the hands and fingers, but can also affect other joints.

8. Grating Sensation (Crepitus)

  • Description: People with osteoarthritis often experience a grating or crunching sensation (known as crepitus) when moving an affected joint. This occurs due to the breakdown of cartilage, which causes the bones to rub against each other.
  • Affected Areas: Knees, hips, and shoulders are commonly affected by crepitus.

9. Bone Spurs

  • Description: In osteoarthritis, the breakdown of cartilage can lead to the development of bone spurs (bony growths) around the joints. These can limit joint movement and cause pain.
  • Affected Areas: Bone spurs often develop in the hands, knees, spine, and feet.

10. Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite (Inflammatory Types of Arthritis)

  • Description: Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can affect the entire body, leading to systemic symptoms like unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, or fever.
  • Affected Areas: These symptoms are systemic and not limited to specific joints.

11. Muscle Weakness

  • Description: Chronic arthritis can lead to muscle weakness around the affected joint due to pain and reduced use. Over time, the surrounding muscles may atrophy, further limiting mobility and stability.
  • Affected Areas: The muscles around weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, and shoulders, are commonly affected.

12. Nodules or Bumps (in Rheumatoid Arthritis)

  • Description: Rheumatoid nodules are firm lumps that can form under the skin near joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. These nodules are usually painless but can indicate more severe disease.
  • Affected Areas: Nodules often appear near the elbows, fingers, and knees.

Summary of Common Arthritis Symptoms:

  1. Joint Pain: Persistent or intermittent pain in affected joints.
  2. Joint Stiffness: Difficulty moving joints, especially after periods of inactivity.
  3. Swelling: Visible puffiness or swelling around affected joints.
  4. Reduced Range of Motion: Difficulty fully moving the joint.
  5. Warmth and Redness: Warm, red skin over inflamed joints.
  6. Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
  7. Joint Deformity: Permanent changes in joint structure over time.
  8. Grating Sensation (Crepitus): Grinding or crunching feeling in the joints.
  9. Bone Spurs: Bony growths near affected joints in osteoarthritis.
  10. Weight Loss/Loss of Appetite: Systemic symptoms, often in inflammatory types of arthritis.
  11. Muscle Weakness: Weakness due to joint pain and reduced activity.
  12. Nodules: Painless lumps under the skin near joints (in rheumatoid arthritis).

Recognizing these symptoms early can help in seeking appropriate treatment and preventing further joint damage.

The Arthritis Strategy By Shelly Manning if you are suffering from painful arthritis for long then the eBook, The Arthritis Strategy, can help you in getting rid of its in just a few days by following its 21-day program. It includes some easy-to-do exercises as well as plans to change your eating habits to some extent to get the best and fastest results even if you are suffering from arthritis for since long.