What does arthritis feel like? Early and ongoing signs
Arthritis, like many other chronic illnesses, is often misunderstood. Arthritis is a broad term for over 100 medical conditions that cause inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissue. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Approximately 54.4 million adults have been diagnosed with a type of arthritis in the United States — and those numbers are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 78.4 million Americans will be affected by arthritis by 2040.
Arthritis is more than just joint pain; it's a chronic condition that impacts countless aspects of daily life. Read on to better understand what arthritis feels like. Learn about early symptoms to look out for and possible treatments to manage the chronic condition and improve your quality of life.
What does arthritis feel like?
Arthritis can feel like an ever-present companion, causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and fatigue — all of which can vary depending on the type of arthritis a person has. Most commonly, people with arthritis may feel pain in and near the affected joints.
For approximately 27% of people with arthritis, the pain is severe enough to impact their ability to bend, kneel or stoop down. Additionally, one in five people with arthritis have difficulties pushing or pulling large objects and walking for over three blocks.
Symptoms of the most common forms of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis (OA): OA is the most common type of arthritis. It is frequently called wear-and-tear arthritis. It is a condition where one or more joints and their surrounding tissue deteriorate over time. The tissue and joint damage from OA causes severe joint stiffness, joint pain and decreased mobility.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disease that can impact small joints, surrounding tissue and certain organs. RA happens when a person's immune system targets joint tissues and linings. This type of inflammatory arthritis can cause severe pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, abnormal tissue growth (nodules), loss of bone density, lung tissue inflammation and dry mouth.
Does arthritis ache all the time?
Not necessarily. In some cases, certain types of arthritis — like RA — enter periods of remission. Remission is when minimal to no symptoms are present, typically due to treatment.
Periods where symptoms are present and constant are referred to as flare-ups. During flare-ups, certain arthritic patients may experience more frequent pain, stiffness and limited range of motion.
Signs of arthritis in hands, fingers and wrist
Many different types of arthritis can affect joints in the hands and fingers. Two common types of arthritis that affect the hands are hand osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis in the hands can impact a person’s quality of life, ability to work, and ability to carry out daily tasks. About 8 in 10 elderly adults show signs of hand OA in x-rays.
Signs of arthritis in the hands, fingers and wrists may include:
- Frequent and severe pain in one or more of the small joints in the fingers
- Pea-sized nodes, or bumps, on the joints closest to the fingertips
- Joint swelling or inflammation in the finger joints, knuckles or base of the thumb
- Stiffness or gradual loss of mobility and function
- Finger or thumb deformities
Signs of arthritis in the back and neck
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) often impact the cervical spine (the upper part of the back) and lumbar spine (the lower part of the back).
RA is the most common medical condition that leads to inflammation of the spine. A common type of arthritis in the lower back is lumbar spine osteoarthritis (OA). OA can make the disks between the neck and lower back bones, or vertebrae, wear out.
Signs of arthritis in the back, spine and neck may include:
- Neck or lower back pain
- Limited neck and head motion
- Limited flexibility and stiffness of the lower back
- Headaches
- Nerve pain
Signs of arthritis in the knee
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are some of the most common forms of arthritis in the knee. Knee RA causes chronic inflammation and eventual damage to the knee joints. Knee OA causes the cartilage around the knee to wear down over time, typically due to aging.
Signs of arthritis in the knee may include:
- Gradual knee pain that gets worse after movement or activities
- Knee stiffness
- Knee swelling
- Pain after periods of sitting, laying down or resting
- Redness and warmth around the affected knee (in knee OA)
- Reduced mobility and range of motion
- Appearance of nodules, or bumps, under the skin of the affected knee
Signs of arthritis in feet, toes and ankles
Arthritis in the feet, toes and ankles is common. Around one in five people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) first experience signs of the condition in the foot and ankle. As the condition progresses, most RA patients develop arthritis symptoms in these weight-bearing joints.
Signs of arthritis in the knee may include:
- Pain and tenderness in the affected foot or ankles, especially during or after movement or activity
- Foot and/or ankle stiffness
- Foot and/or ankle swelling
- Reduced range of motion and flexibility
- Deformities of foot and/or ankle joints
- Instability or a lack of balance
Risk factors for developing arthritis
A few risk factors may increase the risk of developing arthritis. For instance, women are more likely than men to develop certain forms of arthritis, like osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Age can also play an important role. About half of adults over 75 have arthritis, compared to just under 4% of adults ages 18 to 34.
Additional risk factors for arthritis can include:
- Genetics and family history
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Poor dental hygiene or periodontal disease
Early symptoms of arthritis
Early signs of arthritis can be subtle and often mistaken for other conditions. Identifying the key symptoms of arthritis early on can be crucial for getting a diagnosis and proper treatment. Studies have shown that early symptoms develop suddenly in around 25% of patients. It’s important to remember that onset symptoms may vary depending on the type of arthritis.
Early signs and symptoms of arthritis can include:
- Swelling in the joints, especially in the hands and feet
- Pain and tenderness in joints
- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning
- Fatigue and weakness
- Redness around the joints (OA)
Not all joint pain is arthritis
Not all joint pain is caused by arthritis. Joint or bone pain can also result from physical injuries (trauma), such as soft-tissue tears and fractures. Overusing certain parts of the body can also cause temporary conditions, such as bursitis and tendonitis.
Bursitis happens when the small sac (bursa) that reduces friction between bones, muscles and ligaments becomes inflamed. Bursitis typically affects the shoulders, elbows, knees and the Achilles heel. Tendonitis is another common type of joint pain not caused by arthritis. It happens when a tendon is injured and becomes inflamed. This inflammation occurs as a response to the injury.
Managing arthritis pain: Treatment options
Available treatment options can differ based on the type of arthritis, its severity and a person's overall health and lifestyle. Several treatment options can provide arthritis pain relief and help manage your symptoms.
Different arthritis treatment plans to manage pain may include:
- The use of over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, can help with short-term pain and inflammation relief.
- In severe or advanced cases, joint replacement surgery can be an option.
- Lifestyle adjustments like weight management, quitting smoking and eating an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce the severity of symptoms.
- A healthcare professional may prescribe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to alter the course or slow down the development of certain types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, when needed.
- Certain OTC pain relief creams and gels that contain capsaicin (Capzasin) or salicylates (Asprin, Aspercreme) can help provide short-term relief.
- Applying an ice pack or a moist heating pad for 20 minutes every other day can help reduce swelling and complement your ongoing treatment.
If you think you may be showing early onset signs and symptoms of arthritis, contact your healthcare provider. They can connect you to an arthritis specialist or rheumatologist who can help you get a diagnosis. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any medications or supplements or if you have any preexisting conditions, such as high blood pressure.
How Sesame can help
If you’re experiencing joint pain, Sesame can connect you with top-rated, licensed healthcare providers who can help. Book an affordable online doctor visit appointment to discuss your symptoms, receive a thorough evaluation and explore possible diagnoses and treatment options tailored to your needs.
Providers on Sesame can provide medical advice, pain management strategies and ongoing support to improve your quality of life, all from the comfort of your home. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back — take the first step towards relief with Sesame today.
