Share this page

Health Library

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include the following:

Pain in the joint
- Most commonly affected joints are those of the knee, hip, hand, or spine
- Pain usually increases when the joint is used or stressed
- Pain is usually decreased by resting the joint
- May be described as a dull, achy pain or a sharper, stabbing sensation
Stiffness
- Stiffness can make everyday activities difficult, such as leaning down to pick something up, putting on shoes, opening a jar, walking, or climbing stairs.
- Stiffness occurs first thing in the morning is common, usually lasting under 30 minutes after you resume activity.
- Stiffness after any period of inactivity is common (such as after sitting still for a couple of hours in a movie theater or on an airplane).
- Stiffness decreases your range of motion, so that you can’t bend or unbend a joint as far as you normally could.
You may have a feeling of instability in the joint. For example, your knee may feel as if it is going to buckle underneath you.
You may feel or hear a grating or creaking sound when you bend or unbend your joint.
Your joint may develop an abnormal appearance:
- It may appear inflamed, red, swollen.
- It may appear misaligned or misshapen.

References:

Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/ .

Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/ .

Manek NJ, Lane NE. Osteoarthritis: current concepts in diagnosis and management. American Family Physician . 2000;51(6). Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000315/1795.html.

Last reviewed September 2011 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Health Library

Health Library

Search Baptist

Find A Doctor

Services

Locations

Baptist Medical Clinic

Patients & Visitors

Learn

Contact Us

Physician Tools

Careers at Baptist

Employee Links

Online Services

At Baptist Health Systems

At Baptist Medical Center