Arthritis Symptoms
There are over 100 arthritis types, and the symptoms vary from one form to the next. Arthritis symptoms can vary in frequency, severity, type and location. However, there are some symptoms that are typical of all sorts of arthritis conditions. These include joint pain, stiffness and inflammation.
Arthritis of every type also takes the shape of limited mobility. Other common symptoms of arthritis can include fatigue, fever, rash on the lower body, appearance of nodules and flu-like symptoms.
Non-inflammatory Arthritis Symptoms
The symptoms of non-inflammatory types of arthritis, that is, forms of arthritis where pain is intensified by movement and weight bearing, include:
- Joint aches in the foot, knee, neck, hip, back, shoulders, hands and thumbs, or fingers.
- Inflammation, stiffness, and pain in one or more part of your body.
- Initially slight symptoms with a gradual increase of intensity that leads to severe, persistent pain.
- Early symptoms of pain and stiffness following periods of idleness.
- Stiffness in the morning that goes away after a half hour of walking.
- Sensation that your joint is crackling when you use it.
- Restricted mobility.
- More severe pain when weather is humid.
- Pain decreases with rest.
Inflammatory Arthritis Symptoms
The symptoms of inflammatory types of arthritis include:
- Involvement of multiple, symmetrical joints
- Warmth, inflammation, stiffness and lack of mobility in the joints
- Involvement of the feet, wrists and fingers
- Possible additional pain in the knees, elbows, neck, spine, hip, back, shoulders, hands and thumbs
- Symmetrical pattern, with both sides of the body affected simultaneously and equally
- Possible swelling of the salivary glands or the tear glands
- Fatigue, sometimes accompanied by fever
- Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss
- Nodules under the skin, especially in bony areas
Doctors diagnose arthritis by taking into consideration your medical history and by asking you questions in order to identify a pattern in your symptoms. They also perform a physical exam and diagnostic lab, x-ray or other imaging tests. These tests can reveal things that are not visible to the eye, such as inflammation of the lining of the heart or lungs, which may be present in some forms of inflammatory arthritis. If you visit your physician and tell him or her that you believe you may have arthritis, he or she will likely ask you the following questions:
- Where is your joint pain located?
- Have you ever injured this area?
- When did you start experiencing joint pain and rigidity?
- How long does your pain and/or stiffness last?
- Have you experienced any joint swelling or skin redness in the affected area?
- Are you having trouble with everyday activities?
- Does anyone in your family have arthritis, or has anyone experienced similar symptoms?
Primary care physicians are able to provide an effective arthritis treatment, even if that only means symptom management. In more severe or unusual cases, your doctor may refer you to an arthritis specialist, called a rheumatologist.