5 Signs You May Have Arthritis in Your Joints

Arthritis is estimated to be experienced by millions of Australians, and one in six people is taken by the condition, states Arthritis Australia. While common, the majority of people write off early warning signs as the natural process of aging or a leisure pain. Identifying the warning signs early is the best way to manage the disease and maintain your way of life.

By noticing these major indicators, you’ll be aware when you require seeing a doctor and take positive actions towards healthier joints.

1. Chronic Joint Pain and Stiffness

The most common initial symptom of arthritis is pain in the joints that does not respond to rest. Pain is often deep within the joint and may get worse with use or with a change in the weather. Arthritic pain, unlike pain from exercise or injury, persists for weeks or months.

Stiffness is a companion to pain and inhibits unrestricted movement of the joints. Your fingers become stiff when you try to hold something in your hand, or your knees do not want to bend after you have spent a few hours sitting. Stiffness usually signifies inflammation of the joint tissues.

2. Swelling and Redness Near Joints

Redness and swelling in your joints are also evident signs of arthritis. The swollen joint may be puffy or swollen in relation to the corresponding joint on the other side of your body. Swelling results from the collection of excess fluid within the space between the joints because inflammation causes this to happen.

The swelling is usually in association with tenderness. Pain results even from minimal pressure over the affected joint. Your joints are warm and suggest that there is inflammation. Swelling most typically appears on the knuckles, wrists, knees, and ankles.

3. Decreased Range of Motion

Arthritis gradually takes away your joint range of motion. You will become increasingly unable to completely straighten your fingers, completely bend your knees, or swing your shoulders as widely as you have grown accustomed.

There is a limit to this, since inflammation also damages cartilage and other joint tissues. Simple activities like reaching overhead, going up and down stairs, or opening a jar are difficult. Losing flexibility also comes on gradually and is easy to ignore until it shows itself in your activities.

4. Clicking or Popping Sounds in the Joints

One of the possible signs of arthritis is unusual joint sounds, or crepitus as doctors more accurately describe them. They range from the most subtle clicking to more noticeable popping or grinding. They occur when cartilage surfaces are roughened through arthritis and slide past each other with movement.

Some cracking is possible between the joints, but clicking that is repetitive or painful is what to watch out for. This is particularly so if the sounds are also accompanied by pain, stiffness, or swelling. Grinding would not only be heard but also felt, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.

5. Morning Stiffness that Lasts More than 30 Minutes

Morning stiffness persisting for over 30 minutes after waking up is an important symptom of inflammatory arthritis. It differs from the transient morning stiffness experienced by healthy people.

The morning stiffness is also more prolonged due to inflammatory fluid that has accumulated overnight or when a person is immobile. The stiffness is finally overcome by motion, but the amount of time it takes to “loosen up” is a good gauge of the severity of inflammation of the joint.

Taking Action for Better Joint Health

Identifying such symptoms in the initial stage offers the opportunity of receiving proper treatment and delaying the onset of arthritis, such as advanced hip treatment options. If you notice a combination of these symptoms, especially if they last for over a couple of weeks, visit your GP or a rheumatologist.

The right treatment with early diagnosis, medication when needed, and lifestyle change can do wonders to your joint health in the long term. Remember, arthritis can be managed with the right treatment, and recognising these symptoms is your first step towards an active, pain-free life.