Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Pain and stiffness in the joints are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain- Pain is felt in the joint area and can be aggravated by certain activities like lifting heavy weights, prolonged standing etc. Initially, the pain is of low intensity. It can become constant and unbearable over a period of time.
- Stiffness in the joint- Stiffness in the affected joints occurs after a period of rest to the joint and causes severe pain while moving the joint.
- Morning stiffness- Pain and stiffness in the joint appears on waking up in the morning. This stiffness usually lasts for 30 minutes or less and is improved by mild activity that ‘warms up’ the joint.
- Muscle spasm- The muscle near the joint becomes tight and an attempt to move causes pain.
- Wasting of muscles- Pain causes limitation in movement; therefore the muscle near the joint has less chance to work and it becomes weak and gets wasted.
- Sound on movement (Crepitus)- An abnormal rubbing, grating, or crackling sound can be heard on moving the joint.
